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A    COMPENDIUM 


OF  THE 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


FRANKLIN   D.  RICHARDS, 

I! 

One  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints,  and 

ELDER  JAMES   A.  LITTLE, 


SALT  LAK-E   CITY,  UTAH: 

DB8BBST    NSWS    COMPANY, 
1884. 


Etitered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year   1S82,  by 

JAMES  A.  LITTLE  AND  FRANKLIN   D.  RICHARDS, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington,  D.C, 


oo/f 


PKEFACE. 


We  consider  the  Bible,  Book  of  Mormon,  Book 
of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  Pearl  of  Great  Price 
and  sayings  of  Joseph,  the  Seer,  our  guides  in  faith 
and  doctrine.  The  first  four  have  been  adopted  as 
such  by  a  vote  of  the  Saints  in  General  Conference. 
Reference  to  other  writings  are  only  for  illustration 
of  the  subject. 

We  have  sought  to  furnish  the  best  available 
material  for  the  use  of  the  Elders.  It  is  for  them  to 
seek  for  the  wisdom  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  enable 
them  to  use  it  with  discretion. 

On  most  of  the  subjects  treated,  only  a  portion  of 
the  passages  that  refer  to  them  have  been  cited,  but 
we  have  endeavored  to  use  the  best.  We  designed 
to  make  the  Compendium  sufficiently  elaborate  to 
give  it  a  wide  range  of  usefulness,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  not  make  it  so  large  as  to  be  burdensome  to  the 
Elders  who  travel  and  preach  the  Gospel.  Practi- 
cally, we  have  aimed  to  get  up  a  book  that  would 
contain  a  great  amount  of  information  for  its  bulk. 

The  arguments  on  each  subject  are  so  plain  and 
direct,  that,  we  trust,  they  may  be  made  available  by 
the  most  inexperienced  Elders.  At  the  same  time, 
the  references  and  citations  are  considered  sufficient 
for  the  more  advanced  student  to  acquire  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  subjects  treated  on. 

The  references  in  small  type  are  noi  designed  tc 


IV  PREFACE. 

be  verbatim,  but  only  to  embody,  as  near  as  may  be, 
the  leading  idea  of  the  passage  referred  lo.  They 
should  be  studied  before  being  used.  The  passages 
included  within  the  usual  quotation  marks,  thus,  '*  ", 
are  designed  to  be  correctly  quoted,  and  may  be  used 
without  referring  to  the  original. 

We  are  indebted  to  Elder  George  Reynolds  for 
the  carefully  prepared  Chronology  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon.  It  is  evidently  the  result  of  much  study 
and  thought,  and  as  such  is  entitled  to  credence. 

While  we  have  aimed  at  accuracy,  we  should  be 
pleased  to  have  our  friends  inform  us  of  any  material 
error  they  may  discover. 

We  expect  cur  labors  will  elicit  some  criticism, 
but  we  trust  the  thoughtful  and  experienced  will 
allow  much  for  the  complicated  character  of  the 
work. 

THE    COMPILERS. 


INDEX. 


Articles  of  Faith i 

Atonement,  The 8 

Apostacy  of  the  Primitive  Church 164 

Angels 235 

Angel  of  the  I^ord 237 

Angels,   Ministering 238 

Angels,  Fallen 241 

Apostles — The  First  Presidency  and  Twelve 255 

Apostles,  The  Twelve 256 

Baptism,  Necessity  of 32 

Baptism,  Mode  of 34 

Baptism,  Object  of , 36 

Baptism  for  the  Dead 40 

Book  of  Mormon — Evidences  of  its  Divine  Authenticity 95 

Book  of  Mormon  Chronology 289 

Christ's  First  Coming , 78 

Christ's  Second  Coming 80 

Christ's  Church,  Name  of 157 

Consecration,  Stewardship,  United  Order 263 

Church  Chrono4ogy 306 


VI  INDEX. 


PAGC. 


Dispensation  of  the  Fulness  of  Times 143 

Destruction  ol  the  Wicked ..204 

Evangelists,  or  Patriarchs 73 

Fall  of  Adam,  The 3 

Free  Agency  of  Man 6 

Faith ...:.. 14 

Faith  in  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 16 

Faith  in  the  Holy  Priesthood,  Necessity  of. 19 

Faith  in  Continual    Revelation 24 

Foreordination — Election 138 

Gathering  of  Israel go 

Gods,  Plurality  of 184 

God  a  Personage ^. 186 

God,  The  True  and  Living 187 

Gems  from  History  of  Joseph  Smith 266  and  305 

Israel  a  chosen  people ..246 

Joseph  Smith,  as  a  Fvilfiller  of  Bible  Prophecies loi 

Joseph  Smith,  as  a  Fulfiller  of  Book  of  Mormon  Prophecies.  107 

Joseph  Smith,  as  a  Fulfiller  of  His  Own  Prophecies 114 

Jerusalem  of  the  Eastern  Hemisphere,  The 171 

Jerusalem,  New - — 174 

Laying  on  of  Hands  for  Ordination 49 

j^aying  on  of  Hands  for  the  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost 50 


INDEX.  vn 

^AGK. 

Laying  on  of  Hands  for  Healing  the  Sick 5^ 

Latter-day  Saints'  Emigration 312 

Marriage — A  Divine  Institution,  and  designed  to  be  Eternal.118 

Marriage — Plurality  of  W  ives 124 

Marriage — Concubines i35 

Millennial  Reign, 201 

Miracles 209 

Ordinances,  Covenants,  etc.,  Eternal 194 

Priesthood,  The  Holy 64 

Priesthood,  Aaronic 71 

Priesthood,  Patriarchal 73 

Pre-existence  of  Spirits 179 

Passover,  or  Sacrament » 198 

Repentance 26 

Remission  of  Sins 46 

Resurrection,  The 53 

Resurrection  at  Christ's  Resurrection 54 

Resurrection  at  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ 57 

Resurrection  at  the  End  of  the  V\'orld 59 

Resurrection  of  the  Body  that  is  Laid  Down 60 

Records  of  the  Jaredites 215 

Records  mentioned  in  the  Bible  and  not  in  it 217 

Records  of  the  Nephites 219 

Scattering  of  Israel,  The 85 

Spirit  of  God,  or  Holy  Ghost 148 


Vni  INDEX. 

PACK. 

Spiritual  Gifts 177 

Signs  and  Tokens 229 

Sabbath  Day,  The 24a 

Spirits  in  prison 251 

Tithing 160 

Temples  and  Sacred  Places 301 

The  Book  of  Mormon 312 

Visions  and  Dreams ^ 223 


COMPENDIUM 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


ARTICLES  OF  FAITH. 


r.  We  believe  in  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  and  in 
His  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2.  We  believe  that  men  will  be  punished  for  their 
own  sins,  and  not  for  Adam's  transgression. 

3.  We  believe  that,  through  the  atonement  of 
Christ,  all  mankind  may  be  saved,  by  obedience  to 
the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel. 

4.  We  believe  that  these  ordinances  are:  First, 
Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  second.  Repentance; 
third.  Baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of 
.^ins:  fourth,  Laying  on  of  hands  for  the  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

5.  We  believe  that  a  man  must  be  called  of  God, 
by  *' prophecy,  and  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,"  by 
those  who  are  in  authority,  to  preach  the  Gospel  and 
administer  in  the  ordinances  thereof. 


2  ARTICLES    OF    FAITH. 

6.  We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that  ex- 
isted in  the  primitive  church,  viz:  apostles,  prophets, 
pastors,  teachers,  evangelists,  etc. 

7.  We  believe  in  the  gift  of  tongues,  prophecy, 
revelation,  visions,  healing,  interpretation  of  tongues, 
etc. 

8.  W^e  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  vi^ord  of  God, 
as  far  as  it  is  translated  correctly;  we  also  believe 
the  Book  of  Mormon  to  be  the  word  of  God. 

9.  We  believe  all  that  God  has  revealed,  all  that 
he  does  now  reveal,  and  we  believe  that  he  will  yet 
reveal  many  great  and  important  things  pertaining  to 
the  Kingdom  of  God. 

10.  We  believe  in  the  literal  gathering  of  Israel 
and  in  the  restoration  of  the  ten  tribes.  That  Zion 
will  be  built  upon  this  continent.  That  Christ  will 
reign  personally  upon  the  earth,  and  that  the  earth 
will  be  renewed  and  receive  its  paradisic  glory. 

11.  We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping  Almighty 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  conscience,  and 
allow  all  men  the  same  privilege,  let  them  worship 
how,  where,  or  what  they  may. 

12.  We  believe  in  being  subject  to  kings,  presi- 
dents, rulers  and  magistrates,  in  obeying,  honoring 
and  sustaining  the  law. 

13.  We  believe  in  be-ing  honest,  true,  chaste, 
benevolent,  virtuous,  and  in  doing  good  to  all  men-, 
indeed,  we  may  say  that  we  follow  the  admonition  of 
Paul,  "We  believe  all  things,  we  hope  all  things;" 
we  have  endured  many,  things,  and  hope  to  be  able  to 
endure  all  things.  If  there  is  anything  virtuous, 
lovely,  or  of  good  report,  or  praiseworthy,  we  seek 
after  these  things. — Joseph  Smith. 


THK    FAI.L    OF    ADAM. 


THE  FALL  OF  ADAM. 


"Honor  thyFather  and  thy  Mother."  This  was 
one  of  the  ten  special  commandments  given  to  Lsraelj 
during  a  grand  display  of  God's  power  and  glory  on 
Mount  Sinai. 

In  the  past  centuries  of  darkness  it  appears  to 
have  lost  its  significance  with  the  Christian  world. 
They  do  not  appear  to  realize  that  honor  is  due  to  the 
first  parents  of  the  human  race.  They  have  been 
long  taught  that  Adam  and  Eve  were  great  trans- 
gressors, and  have  mourned  over  the  fact  that 
they  partook  of  the  forbidden  fruit  and  brought  death 
into  the  world. 

There  is  no  possibility  that  the  fall  of  man  was  an 
accident  or  chance,  any  more  than  was  his  creation. 
If  an  accident,  then  why  was  Christ  prepared  from 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world  as  a  propitiation 
for  sin,  and  to  open  up  the  way  for  man  to  immor- 
tahty? 

Christ's  mediation  was  a  sequence  of  the  fall. 
"  Him  hath  God  exalted  with  his  right  hand  to  be  a 
Prince  and  a  Savior,  for  to  give  repentance  to  Israel, 
and  forgiveness  of  sins;"  Acts  5.  31.  Without  the 
fall  there  would  have  been  no  broken  law,  and  there- 
fore nothing  to  repent  of;  and  there  could  be  no  for- 
giveness of  sin  without  the  atonement  of  Christ. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  makes  this  subject  very 
plain:  *•  And  now,  behold,  if  Adam  had  not  trans- 
gressed, he  would  not  have  fallen;  but  he  would  have 
remained  in  the  garden  of  Eden.  And  all  things 
which  were  created,  must  have  remained  in  the  same 
state  which  they  were,  after  they  were  created;  and 
they  must  have  remained  for  ever,  and  had  no  end. 
And  they  would  have  had  no  children;  wherefore 
they  would  have  remained  in  a  state  of  innocence, 
having  no  joy,  for  they  knew  no  misery;  doing  no 
good,  for  they  knew  no  sin;"  2  A'ephi^  2.  22,  23. 


4  THE    FALL   OF    ADAM, 

It  is  evident,  not  only  from  this  passag^e,  but  from 
all  that  is  recorded  on  this  subject,  that,  if  Adam  and 
Eve  had  not  attained  to  a  knowledge  of  evil,  by  par- 
taking of  the  forbidden  fruit,  the  human  race  could 
not  have  existed  under  present  conditions.  It  is  also 
evident,  that  without  a  knowledge  of  both  good  and 
evil,  man  would  be  incapable  of  exercising  a  free 
agency,  and  therefore  not  capable  of  independent, 
self-reliant  action— »-a  necessary  condition  for  devel- 
opment and  progress. 

We,  the  children  of  Adam,  have  no  right  to  bring 
accusations  against  the  Patriarch  of  the  race.  But 
rather,  we  should  rejoice  with  them,  that  through 
their  fall  and  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  way 
of  eternal  life  has  been  opened  up  to  us.  It  was 
^fter  an  angel  had  administered  to  Adam,  and  made 
known  to  him  the  atonement  through  the  Only  Be- 
gotten Son  of  the  Father,  that  he  and  Eve  gave  ex- 
pression to  their  joy,  in  view  of  the  glorious  future  of 
the  race. 

**And  in  that  day  Adam  blessed  God  and  was 
filled,  and  began  to  prophesy  concerning  all  the  fami- 
lies of  the  earth,  saying.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God, 
for  because  of  my  transgression  my  eyes  are  opened, 
and  in  this  life  I  shall  have  joy,  and  again  in  the  flesh 
1  shall  see  God.  And  Eve,  his  wife,  heard  all  these 
things  and  was  glad,  saying,  Were  it  not  for  our  trans- 
gression we  never  should  have  had  seed,  and  never 
should  have  known  good  and  evil,  and  the  joy  of  our 
redemption,  and  the  eternal  life  which  God  giveth 
unto  all  the  obedient ;"  Pearl  of  Great  Price ^  page  lo. 

The  principle  of  obedience  could  only  be  devel- 
oped in  man  through  the  fall,  and  only  through  that 
can  they  realize  the  joys  of  redemption  and  eternal 
life.  The  woman  fell 'first,  and  led  Adam  out  of 
Eden  and  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  "Adam  was 
not  deceived,  but  the  woman  being  deceived  was  in 
transgression;"   i  Tim,  2.  14. 

When  the  Lord  asked  Adam  if  he  had  eaten  of 
the  fruit  of  the  tree,  of  which  he  had  commanded 
him  that  he  should  not  eat,  he  replied,  "The  woman 
whom  thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  she  gave  me  of  the 


THE   FALL  OF   ADAM,  5 

tree,  and  I  did  eat;"  Gen,  iii,  12.  Adam  had  been 
previously  commanded  to  multiply  and  replenish  the 
earth,  and  he  could  not  do  so  unless  he  remained 
with  Eve.  She,  being  deceived,  forced  upon  him  the 
necessity  of  partaking  of  the  forbidden  fruit  with 
her,  or  of  remaining  in  a  condition  where  it  would 
have  been  impossible  to  fulfil  the  first  great  com- 
mandment of  the  Father. 


Biljle. 

Gen.  3.  gives  a  general  account  of  the  fall  of  man. 

15  enmity  between  tlie  seed  of  the  woman  and  that  of  the  seiv 
pent. 

16  woman  to  bring  forth  children  in  sorrow,  and  be  subject  to 
her  husband, 

19  man  to  labor  for  his  bread,  and  to  return  to  the  ground. 
22  man  became  as  the  Gods,  knowing  good  and  evil. 
Rom.  5.  12  by  one  man  sin  came  into  the  world  and  death  by 
sin. 

Boofe  of  ^ormoii. 

Alma  12.  22,  23  by  the  fall  all  mankind  became  lost. 

Chax).  42  explains  tlie  plan  for  the  exaltation  of  man  through 
the  fall  of  Adam,  and  the  atonement  of  Je^u^  Christ. 

3fonnon  9.  12  by  Adam  came  the  fall  of  man,  because  of  the 
fall  came  Jesus  Christ  and  the  redemption. 

©octrint  anb  €^obtitant5. 

Sec.  29.  36  Adam  being  tempted  of  the  devil,  for  the  devil  was 
before  Adam. 

40  Adam  partook  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  and  became  subject  to 
the  devil. 

41  through  the  fall  Adam  became  spiritually  dead. 

gearl  of  dScnat  ^xiu. 

Pages  7,  8.  a  general  account  of  the  fall  of  man. 

See  our  Article  on  Atonement ^  and  also  an  examination  and, 
elucidatinji  of  the  nicdlafion  and  atoneinent  of  our  Lord  and 
Savior,  yesus  Christ:  by  Ptest,  John    Taylor, 

Article,  by  O,  Pratt,  Mil.  Star,  Vol,  28,  pages  SJJ^  ^gj 
and  6'  g. 

Article  by  C.  W.  Penrose,  Mil.  Star.   Vol.  2g,  pa<^e  645. 
Sernicn  by  O.  Pratt,  journal  of  Discourses  Vol,  /,  page  J28, 


FREE   AGENCY    OF   MAN. 


FREE  AGENCY  OF  MAN. 


The  doctrine  of  free  agency  is  plainly  elucidated 
in  the  written  revelations  from  God.  The  plan  for 
man's  redemption  was  predicated  on  his  fall. 

No  law  could  have  been  given  to  our  first  parents, 
and  no  penalty  affixed  for  the  breaking  of  a  law,  un- 
less they  had  been  free  to  act  without  constraint.  Tlie 
liberty  to  choose  was  given  by  the  Creator  to  the  pro- 
genitors of  the  race,  and  that  liberty  has  been  fully 
recognized  in  all  his  dealings  with  their  posterity. 

As  the  Patriarch  of  the  race  entailed. on  it  an 
experimental  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  through 
sufferings  and  death,  so,  through  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  the  Only  Begotten  Son,  they  are  redeemed 
from  the  efiecls  of  his  transgression,  independent  of 
any  act  of  theirs. 

Man  was  created  in  the  image  of  God,  with  the 
possibility  of  becoming  like  him.  But  he  cannot 
attain  to  that  position  without  a  knowledge  of  good 
and  evil.  Through  the  act  of  the  Father  he  has 
attained  to  that  knowledge;  through  the  act  of  the 
Son  he  is  delivered  from  the  effects  of  original  trans- 
gression. 

Thus,  with  the  privilege  of  exercising  his  free 
agency,  he  is  placed  on  an  equality  with  the  parents 
or  the  race,  and  has  the  choice  of  good  or  evil  for 
himself,  with  the  results  of  that  choice.  If  he 
chooses  evil,  a  second  death  will  be  the  result.  If 
the  good,  it  will  prove  to  be  the  way  to  all  the  powers, 
glories  and  exaltations  that  the  Gods  enjoy,  in  whose 
image  man  is  created. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  is  very  plain  on  this  sub- 
ject: "  Wherefore,  men  are  free  according  to  the 
Hesh;  and  all  things  are  given  them  which  are  expe- 
dient unto  man.  And  they  are  free  to  choose  liberty 
and  eternal  life,  through  the  great  mediation  of  all 


t-KEE    AGENCY   OF    MAN.  7 

men,  or  to  choose  captivity  and  death,  according  to 
the  captivity  and  power  oi  the  devil;  2  Nephi  2.  27. 

Gen.  2.  17  in  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shall  surely  die. 

3.  6  Eve  eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  and  gave  to  her  husband 
and  he  did  eat.  12, 17. 

4.  7  if  thou  doest  well  thou  shalt  be  accepted. 

Book  of  JHormoTt, 

1  Nephi  6.  4  that  I  may  persuade  men  to  come  to  God. 

2  Nephi  2, 16  Lord  gave  unto  man  that- he  should  act  for  himself, 
10.  23  ye  are  free  to  act  for  yourselves. 

Jtfos,  2.  33  if  he  listeth  to  obey  him,  the  same  drinketh  damna- 
tion. 

Alma  3.  26  reap  eternal  happiness  or  misery,  according  to  the 
spirit  they  obey. 

12.  31  in  a  state  to  act  according  to  their  will. 

13.  3  being  left  to  choose  good  or  evil. 

29.  4.  5  he  allotteth  to  man  according  to  their  wills. 

30.  9  a  man's  privilege  to  believe  in  God  or  not. 

41.  3,  4  evil  or  good  is  restored  to  men,  as  they  have  chosen. 
Hel.  14.  30  ye  are  permitted  to  act  for  yourselves, 

©ortrine  anlr  Coljttiants, 

Sec,  10.  66  may  come  and  partake  of  the  waters  of  life  ffeely. 
129.  35  Adam  to  be  an  agent  to  himself.  36. 
39  men  must  needs  be  tempted,  or  they  could  not  be  agents  to 
themselves.    Sec.  58,  27.  28. 

98.  8  I,  the  Lord,  make  you  free. 

gearl  o£  to«at  ^rixe. 

Page  7.  thou  mayest  choose  for  thyself.  Satan  souglit  to  destroy 
the  agency  of  man, 

le.'gjvcn  to  men  to  know  good  and  evil ;  they  are  agents  to 
themselves. 

17.  many  have  believed  and  become  sons  of  God ;  many  have 
Q(^  believed  and  perished. 

See  a  sermon  by  B,  Youngs  y.  of  Z>.,   Vol.  /.,  page  i, 
Sermon  by  B,    Youngs  J^'  of  -^m    VoL  j,  page  80. 
by  O.  Pratt,  J.  of  D.   VoL  i,  page  328. 
"       by  D,  H.    Wells,  y.  of  D.   VoL  9,  page  259. 


THE    ATONEMENT, 


THE  AlONEMENT. 

The  word  atonement  signifies  deliverance,  through 
the  oftering  of  a  ransom,  from  the  penalt}^  of  a  broken 
law.  The  sense  is  expressed  in  Job  -^^t-  24:  "  Deliver 
him  from  going  down  to  the  pit:  I  have  found  a  ran- 
som." 

As  effected  by  Jesus  Christ,  it  signifies  the  deliv- 
erance, through  his  death  and  resurrection,  of  the 
earth  and  everything  pertaining  to  it,  from  the  power 
which  death  has  obtained  over  them  through  the 
transgression  of  Adam. 

The  following  passage  is  very  comprehensive  on 
the  atonement  of  Christ:  "And  the  end  shall  come, 
and  the  heaven  and  the  earth  shall  be  consumed  and 
pass  away,  and  there  shall  be  a  new  heaven  and  a 
new  earth,  for  all  old  things  shall  pass  away,  and  all 
things  shall  become  new,  even  the  heaven  and  the 
earth,  and  all  the  fulness  thereof,  both  men  and 
beasts,  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  the  fishes  of  the  sea; 
and  not  one  hair,  neither  mole,  shall  be  lost,  for  it  is 
the  workmanship  of  mine  hand;"  Doc.  &  Cov,  29. 
23 — 25.  In  the  revelations  of  St.  John  we  read, 
*'And  he  that  sat  upon  the  throne  said,  Behold,  I 
make  all  things  new;"  21.  5. 

The  righteous  could  not  inherit  all  things  in  their 
immortal,  exalted  condition,  if  all  things  were  not 
resurrected  to  immortality  as  well  as  themselves. 

The  Apostle  Paul  quite  comprehensively  sums  up 
the  results  of  Christ's  death  and  resurrection:  "But 
now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and  become  the 
first  fruits  of  them  that  slept.  P^or  since  by  man 
came  death,  by  man  came  also  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead.  For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ 
shall  all  be  made  alive;"  i  Cor.  ic.  21,  22.  That  is, 
death  having  come  on  all  men  through  the  disobe- 
dience of  Adam,  so  must  all  be  raised  to  immortality 


THE   ATONEMENT.  9 

and  eternal  life  through  the  death  and  resurrection  oi 
Christ. 

Paul  also  asserted  that  "the  last  enemy  that  shall 
be  desiroyed  />  death;"  Verse  26.  John  the  Revela- 
tor  declares  that  he  saw  death  and  hell  cast  into  the 
lake  of  fire;     Rev,  20.  14. 

The  atonement,  as  wrought  out  by  Jesus  Christ, 
further  signifies  that  he  has  opened  up  the  way  for 
man's  redemption  from  his  own  sins,  through  faith  in 
Christ's  sufferings,  death  and  resurrection.  The 
Apostle  Paul  well  expresses  this,  *'  For  all  have 
sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God;  being 
justified  freely  by  his  grace  through  the  redemption 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus:  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to 
be  a  propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare 
his  righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are 
past,  through  the  forbearance  of  God;  to  declare,  / 
say,  at  this  time  his  righteousness:  that  he  might  be 
just,  and  the  justifier  of  him  which  believeth  in 
Jesus;"    Roi?i.  3.  23 — 26. 

These  passages  evidence  that  redemption  from 
death,  through  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  is  for  all  men, 
both  the  righteous  and  the  wicked ;  for  this  earth, 
and  for  all  things  created  upon  it.  The  whole  tenor 
of  the  Scriptures  assure  us,  that  while  they  may  be 
sure  of  resurrection  from  death,  regardless  of  their 
personal  acts,  yet  they  will  be  rewarded  for  their 
works,  whether  they  be  good  or  evil,  and  that  redemp- 
tion from  personal  sins  can  only  be  obtained  through 
obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the  Gospel,  and  a 
life  of  good  works. 

The  transgression  of  Adam  being  infinite  in  its 
consequences,  those  consequences  cannot  be  averted, 
except  through  an  infinite  atonement.  The  Prophet 
Nephi  makes  this  very  plain:  *' Wherefore  it  must 
needs  be  an  infinite  atonement;  save  it  should  be  an 
infinite  atonement,  this  corruption  could  not  put  on 
incorruption.  Wherefore,  the  first  judgment  which 
came  upon  man,  must  needs  have  remained  to  an  end- 
less duration.  And  if  so,  this  flesh  must  have  laid 
down  to  rot  and  to  crumble  to  its  mother  earth,  to 
rise  no  more.     O  the  wisdom  of  God!  his  mercy  and 


lO  THE    ATONEMENT. 

grace!  For  behold,  if  the  liesh  should  rise  no  more, 
our  spirits  must  become  subject  to  that  angei  who  fell 
trom  before  the  presence  of  the  eternal  God,  and  be- 
came the  devil,  co  rise  no  more.  *  *  * 
O  how  great  the  goodness  of  our  God,  who  prepareth 
a  way  for  our  escape  from  the  grasp  of  this  awful 
monster;  yea,  that  monster,  death  and  hell,  which  1 
call  the  death  of  the  bod}^,  and  also  the  death  of  the 
spirit;"  iNephic).  7,8,  10.  "There  is  one  thing, 
however,  which  the  atonement  does  for  us,  imme- 
diately upon  our  entrance  into  this  mortal  life;  it  sets 
us  free  from  the  first  spiritual  death." 

"As  in  Adam  all  died  spiritually,  even  so  in  Christ 
all,  in  their  infancy,  are  made  alive  spiritually.  Christ, 
by  the  atonement,  became  the  life  and  the  light  of 
men;  he  is  the  true  light  by  which  all  are  lighted  who 
come  into  the  world.  Without  this  light  all  would 
have  suffered  in  the  eternal  night  of  darkness,  from 
which  there  would  have  been  no  return.  But  little 
children,  by  the  atonement,  are  made  alive,  and 
are  all  subjects  of  salvation,  being  redeemed  by  the 
blood  of  Christ  from  the  fall,  being  pure,  and  spotless, 
and  innocent,  and  thus  are  made  heirs  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven.  This  redemption  from  the  spiritual 
death  upon  all  mankind  in  their  infant  state,  is 
brought  about  without  any  conditions  on  the  part  of 
the  creature;  it  is  wrought  out  by  the  free  grace  of 
Christ  alone,  without  works;"     O.  Pratt. 

"  I  say  unto  you,  that  little  children  are  redeemed 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world  through  mine  Only 
Begotten:  wherefore,  they  cannot  sin,  for  power  is 
not  given  unto  Satan  to  tempt  little  children,  untii 
they  begin  to  become  accountable  before  me;"  Doc, 
&  Gov.  29.  46,  47. 

'*  Wherefore,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  devil  tempt- 
ed Adam,  and  he  partook  the  forbidden  fruit  and 
transgressed  the  commandment,  wherein  he  became 
subject  to  the  will  of  the  devil,  because  he  yielded 
unto  temptation.  Wherefore  I  the  Lord  God  caused 
that  he  should  be  cast  out  from  the  Garden  of  Eden, 
from  my  presence,  because  ot  his  transgression, 
wherein  he  became  spiritually  dead,  which  is  the  first 


THE   ATONEMENT.  I  I 

death,  even  that  same  death,  which  is  the  last  death, 
which  is  spiritual,  which  shall  be  pronounced  upon 
the  wicked  when  I  shall  say — Depart,  ye  cursed. 
But,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  the  Lord  God 
gave  unto  Adam  and  unto  his  seed  that  they  should  not 
die  as  to  the  temporal  death,  until  I  the*  Lord  God 
should  send  forth  angels  to  declare  unto  them  repent- 
ance and  redemption,  through  faith  on  the  name  of 
mine  Only  Begotten  Son.  And  thus  did  I,  the  Lord 
God,  appoint  unto  man  the  days  of  his  probation, 
that  by  his  natural  death  he  might  be  raised  in  im- 
mortality unto  eternal  life,  even  as  many  as  would 
believe ;  and  they  that  believe  not  unto  eternal  damna- 
tion, for  they  cannot  be  redeemed  from  their  spiritual 
fall,  because  they  repent  not;  for  they  will  love  dark- 
ness rather  than  light,  and  their  deeds  are  evil,  and 
they  receive  their  wages  of  whom  they  list  to 
obey;"    Doc,  &  Cov,  29.  40 — 45. 

mm. 

Isa.  45.  22  look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved. 
53.  10  when  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an  offering^  for  sin. 
63.  9  he  redeemed  them  and  carried  them  all  the  days  of  old. 
Mak.  1.  21  Jesus  sliall  save  his  people  from  their  sins. 
18.  11  the  Son  of  Man  hath  come  to  save  that  which  was  lost. 
John  1.  29  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the 
world. 

3.  14, 15  even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man  be  lifted  up.  16. 

4.  42  this  is  Christ  the  Savior  of  the  world. 

12.  32  if  I  be  lifted  up  I  will  draw  all  men  to  me. 

Act'i  5.  31  him  hath  God  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  Savior. 
Chap.  13.  23. 

Eom.  3.  24  being  justified  through  the  redemption  that  is  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

25  wliom  God  hath  sent  forth  to  be  a  propitiation.  26. 

5.  6  in  due  time  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.  8—11. 

15  if  through  the  offence  of  one  many  be  dead,  the  gift  of  grace 
by  one  man,  Christ  Jesus,  hath  abounded  to  many.  18. 

6.  23  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through  Jesus  Christ. 

8.  32  spared  not  his  own  Son  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all. 
11.  26  there  shall  come  out  of  Zion  a  deliverer. 

1  Cor.l.  30  Christ  Jesus  who  is  made  to  us  sanctifi cation  and 
redemption. 

5.  7  for  even  Christ  our  Passover  is  sacrificed  for  us. 

2  Cor.  5.  18  who  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself,  by  Jesus  Christ. 
Gal.  3.  13  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law. 
4.  4,  5  God  sent  his  Son  to  redeem  them  that  were  under  the 

law.  7. 


12  THE   ATONEMENT. 

Eph.  1.  7  in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood.  Col, 
1.  14. 

5.  2  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  given  himself  for  us. 

1  Tim.  1.  15  faithful  saying,  that  Christ  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners. 

2.  5  one  God,  one  Mediator  between  God  and  man,  the  man 
Christ  Jesus. 

4.  10  we  trust  in  the  living  God  who  is  the  Savior  of  all  men. 

Wus  2.  14  who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us. 

Jleh.  5.  9  being  made  perfect,  he  became  the  author  of  eternal 
salvation. 

7.  25  able  to  save  them  that  come  to  God  by  him. 

9.  26,  28  so  Christ  was  once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of  the  world. 

1  Peter  1.  19  with  the  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without 
blemish. 

3.  18  Christ  hath  once  suffered  for  our  sins,  the  just  for  the 
unjust. 

1  John  1.  7  the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 
2.  2  he  is  the  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  world, 

4.  9  God  sent  his  son  into  the  world  that  we  might  live  through 
him.  14. 

Rev.  5.  9  and  hath  redeemed  us  by  his  blood,  out  of  every 
nation. 

Book  of  JHlormon. 

1  Nephi  11.  27  I  looked  and  beheld  the  Redeemer  of  the  world 
33. 

12.  11  made  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
15.  14  the  very  points  of  his  doctrine,  that  they  may  come  to 
him  and  be  saved. 

2  Nephi  1.  10  if  the  day  come,  they  reject  the  Messiah.  15. 

2.  3  thou  art  redeemed,  for  thou  hast  beheld,  that,  in  the  ful- 
ness of  time  he  cometh  to  bring  salvation  to  men. 

9.  21,  22  he  suflereth  the  pains  of  all  men, 

25.  26  the  atonement  satisfies  the  demands  of  justice,  on  those 
without  law. 

10.  25  may  God  raise  you  from  everlasting  death  by  the  power 
of  the  atonement. 

26.  24  layeth  down  his  own  life,  that  he  may  draw  all  men  to 
him. 

31.  21  no  other  name  given  whereby  men  can  be  saved. 

Jacob  4.  15—17  Jews  will  reject  the  only  foundation  on  which 
they  can  build. 

Omni  1.  26  come  to  Christ  and  partake  of  the  power  of  his  re- 
demption. 

Mos.  4.  6—9  the  atonement  wb.ich  has  been  prepared  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world  for  all  who  have  been,  or  will  be. 

27.  25  becoming  his  sons  and  daughters.  30. 

Alma  7.  12  take  upon  him  death  that  he  may  loose  the  bands 
of  death. 

11.  39,  40  the  eternal  Father  shall  come  into  the  world  to  re- 
deem his  people. 

34.  11—16  the  law  of  Moses  fulfilled  in  t^e  infinite  atonement  of 
Christ. 


THE   ATONEMENT.  1 3 

89.  18  as  necessary  that  the  plan  of  salvation  should  be  made 
known  to  this  people,  as  to  their  children  ? 

Hel.  5.  9—12  will  not  redeem  his  people  in  their  sins,  but  from 
their  sins. 

3  Nephi  12.  17  in  Christ  is  the  law  of  Mofcs  fulfilled.  21,  22. 

Ether '^.  14  was  prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  to 
redeem  mv  people. 

12.  33  to  the  laying  down  of  thy  life,  that  thou  m'ghtest  take  it 
again. 

Moroni  8  he  that  says  little  children  need  baptism  setteth  at 
naught  the  atonement  of  Christ. 

See..  18.  11  Lord  suffered  the  pain  of  all  men  that  they  might 
come  to  him. 

23  25  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  name  given  under  heaven  whereby 
men  can  be  saved. 

19.  16  I,  God,  have  suffered  these  things  for  all.  that  they  might 
not  suffer. 

20.  26,  27  not  only  those  who  believed  after  he-  came  in  the  me- 
ridian of  time. 

29.  42  Lord  gave  to  Adam  and  his  seed  that  they  should  not  die  , 
until  the  i  Ian  of  redemption  was  declared  to  them. 

46  little  children  are  red.^emed  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world.    Sec.  74.  6,  7.    Sec.  93.  38. 

76.  41 — 44  .Tc'^us  was  crucified  that  all  might  be  saved,  except 
the  sons  of  Perdition. 

JP^arl  of  (Knat  ^rut. 

Page  1.  My  Only  Begotten  Is  and  shall  be  the  Savior. 

3.  For  this  is  my  work  and  my  glory,  to  bring  to  pass  the  im- 
mortality and  eternal  life  of  man. 

9.  Wherefore,  thou  shalt  do  all  that  thou  doest  in  the  name  of 
the  Son,  and  thou  shalt  repent  and  call  upon  God  in  the  name  of 
the  Son  evermore. 

16.  Je&us  Christ  the  only  name  given  whereby  salvation  shall 
come. 

17.  Plan  of  salvation  to  all  men  through  the  blood  of  mine 
Only  Begotten. 

See  An  examination  and  elucidation  of  the  mediation  and 
atonement  of  jfesus  Christ;  by  Prest.  J.   Taylor, 

Articles  on  the  fall  and  atonement^  by  O.  Pratt ^  Mil.  Start 
Vol.  28,  pai^es  syy,  59J  and  6og. 

Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,  J.  of  Z).,   Vol.  /,  page  280. 
'*  "  **  ••  2,  Pa^e  J2S. 

2,  page  368. 
'*  B.  Young,  y.  of  D.  Vol.  j,  A^^*?  80, 

Article  by  W,   Woodruff,  Mil.  Star,   VoL  6,  p'^ge  tij. 
Article  by  C,  W,  Penrose,  Contributor^  Vol.  2,  page  362. 


14  FAITH. 


FAITH. 


"Faith  is  the  first  principle  of  revealed  religion 
and  the  tbundaiion  of  all  righteousness."  ''Now 
faith  is  the  substance  (assurance)  of  things  hoped  for, 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen;"  Heb.  ii.  i,  Doc, 
and  Cov.,  Lecture  on  Faith^  i.  i-8.  That  to  use  the 
word  assurance,  instead  of  substance,  would  be  the 
proper  rendering  of  the  above  passage,  is  evident 
from  the  22d  verse  of  the  previous  chapter:  ''Let  us 
draw  near  with  a  true  heart  in  full  assurance  of 
faith." 

Faith  begets  trust  and  confidence.  'Mn  whom  we 
have  boldness  and  access  with  conJide7tce  by  the  faith 
of  him;"  (Jesus  Christ.)  Ep/i.  3.  12.  Faith  is  the 
gift  of  God.  "Saved  through  faiih;  and  that  not  of 
yourselves:  it  is  the  gift  of  God;"  2.  8.  "To  an- 
other faith  by  the  same  Spirit;"  i  Cor,  12.  9.  "But 
to  think  soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to  every 
man  the  measure  of  faith;"  Rom.  12.  3.  Moroni 
10.   II.. 

Through  repentance,  baptism  and  the  laying  on  o*f 
hands  man  may  receive  the  Holy  Ghost.  It  will  open 
his  spiritual  vision  and  he  will  begin  to  comprehend 
himself,  the  object  of  his  creation,  and  his  affinity  to 
his  Heavenly  Father.  Then  through  the  further  ob- 
servance of  all  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  will  the 
righteousness  of  God  be  revealed  to  him,  from  faith 
to  faith,  until  by  keeping  the  commandments  and 
seeking  after  knowledge  through  the  inspirations  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  in  time,  he  will  reach  that  assurance 
of  faith  which  is  unto  eternal  life. 

The  Lectures  on  Faith,  by  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  in 
Doc.  and  Cov.,  may  justly  be  considered  the  most 
elaborate  treatise  on  the  subject  in  the  sacred  writ- 
ings.    They  are  written  in  such  simplicity,  that  they 


FAITH.  15 

can  be  easily  understood  by  all  who  will  honestly 
study  them,  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  nature  of 
faith.  Their  fulness,  their  comprehensiveness,  is  one 
of  the  many  evidenc  es  of  the  Divine  inspiration  of 
the  Prophet  Joseph. 

The  first  lecture  shows  that  faith  is  an  assurance 
that  men  have  of  the  existence  of  things  that  they 
have  not  seen,  and  that  it  is  an  element  of  power. 
*'  It  is  the  principle  by  which  Jehovah  works,  and 
through  which  he  exercises  power  over  all  temporal 
as  well  as  eternal  things." 

The  second  lecture  informs  us  how  faith,  in  the 
beginning  was  based  on  a  knowledge  of  God  and  his 
attributes,  and  that  faith  in  God  has  existed  in  man 
in  proportion  to  that  knowledge. 

The  third  lecture  teaches  us  that  to  exercise  faith 
in  God,  man  must  have  an  idea  that  he  exists,  and 
also  of  his  character  and  attributes.  He  must,  as 
well,  feel  an  assurance  that  he  is  living  in  accordance 
with  the  will  of  God.  Consequently,  those  who  fail 
to  obtain  this  knowledge  by  living  in  the  spirit  and 
power  of  the  Gospel,  cannot  exercise  a  true  and  un- 
derstanding faith  in  God,  no  matter  what  their  pre- 
tentions. 

Lecture  fourth  treats  of  the  connection  between 
correct  ideas  of  God's  attributes,  of  his  Knowledge, 
Faith  or  Power,  Justice,  Judgment,  Mercy  and  Truth  ; 
and  the  exercise  of  faith  unto  salvation,  in  a  rational 
being.  "* 

The  fifth  lecture  shows  the  necessity  of  faith  in 
God  the  Father,  and  in  hjs  Son  Jesus  Chfist. 

Lecture  sixth  evidences  the  necessity  of  men 
knowing  that  their  course  of  life  is  in  accordance  wiih 
the  will  of  God,  in  order  to  exercise  faith  in  him  unto 
salvation.  "It  was  this  that  enabled  the  ancient 
Saints  to  endure  all  their  afflictions  and  persecutions, 
and  to  lake  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  know 
ing  (not  believing  merely)  that  they  had  a  more  endur- 
ing substance.  Heb,  10.  34. 

The  seventh  lecture  treats  of  the  effects  of  faith. 
That  working  by  faith  is  working  by  mental  exertion 
instead   of   physical    force;   illustrating   the    fact   by 


FAITH. 


numerous  examples.  It  also  elucidates  the  principle 
that  the  mental  powers  are  far  superior  to  the  physi- 
cal forces  of  nature,  and  that  through  them  the  power 
of  faith  is  manifested. 


FAITH     IN    GOD    THE    FATHER,     THE    SON,    AND    THE 
H(JLY   GHOST. 

Gen.  15.  6  Abraham  believed  in  God  and  he  counted  it  to  liim 
for  righteousness .  JRom.  4.  3 ;  Gal.  3.  6. 

Exod.  4.  5  that  they  may  believe  that  the  God  of  their  fathers 
hath  appeared  unto  thee. 

Ntmi.  3^.  12  ye  believed  me  not ;  ye  shall  not  bring  this  congre- 
gation into  the  land. 

Pmlm  119.  66  teach  me  judgment  and  knowledge,  for  I  have 
believed  thy  commandments. 

Prov.  16.  20  whoso  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  happy  is  he. 

Jonah  3.  5  so  the  people  of  Nineveh  believed  God, 

John  1.  12  to  as  many  as  believed  on  him  he  gave  power  to  be- 
come the  sons  of  God. 

3.  15  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 

4.  42  know  that  this  is  the  Christ,  the  Savior  of  the  world. 

5.  24  he  that  believeth  on  him  that  sent  me  hath  everlasting 
life. 

8.  24  if  ye  believe  not  I  am  he,  ye  shall  die  in  your  sins.  31. 
11 ,  25  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall 
he  live.  26,  27,  40—48. 

13.  19  when  it  comes  to  pass  ye  may  believe  I  am  he.  Chap. 
14.  29. 

14.  1  ye  believe  in  God  believe  also  in  me.  Chap.  10. 11. 

16.  9  of  sin  because  they  believe  not  on  me.  27,  30,  31. 

17.  8  they  have  believed  thou  didst  send  me. 

20.  29  blessed  are  they  who  have  not  seen,  and  yet  have  be- 
lieved. 31. 

Acts  8.  29  the  Spirit  said  to  Phjlip.  go  near  and  join  thyself  to 
him. 

37  eunuch  answered,  I  believe  Jesus  Chri-t  is  the  Son  of  God. 

10.  43  all  the  ]3rophets  witness  that  whosoever  believe  in  him 
shall  receive  remission  of  sins. 

13.  39  by  him  all  that  believe  are  justified  from  all  things.  &c. 

14.  23  they  commended  them  to  the  Lord  on  whom  they  be- 
lieved, 

16.  31  believe  on  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved. 

19.  4  should  believe  on  him  who  should  come  after  him. 

20.  21  testifying  to  Jews  and  Greeks  faith  towards  Jesus  Christ. 
27.  25  Paul  said,  I  believe  God;  that  it  sliall  be  as  was  told  me. 
Bom,.  1.  16  Gospel  of  Christ  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 
17  therein  is  the  righteou'^ness  of  God  revealed  from  faith  to 

fiaith.    The  just  shall  live  by  faith. 

3.  26  the  jxistifier  of  him  who  believeth  in  Jesus.    Chap.  4.  5. 


FAITH.  ^  17 

4.  24  if  we  believe  in  him  that  raised  Jesus  from  the  dead. 

6.  8  if  we  be  dead  with  Christ,  we  believe  we  shall  live  with 
him. 

8.  26,  27  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us,  according 
to  the  will  of  God. 

9.  33  a  rock  of  offence,  they  that  believe  on  him  shall  not  be 
ashamed.    Chap.  10.  4, 11. 

10.  9  believe  God  has  raised  Christ  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt 
be  saved. 

14  how  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard  ? 

2  Cor,  1.  9  not  trust  in  ourselves,  but  in  God  who  raiseth  the 
dead. 

Qal.  2.  20  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  gave  him- 
self for  me. 

Ck)l.  1.  4  faith  in  Christ  and  love  for  all  the  Saints. 

1  Tim.  1.  16  for  a  pattern  for  those  who  should  hereafter  believe 
on  him. 

3.  16  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in  the  Spirit,  believed 
on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  gJory. 

4.  10  who  is  the  Savior  of  all  men,  especially  of  those  who  be- 
lieve. 

Titus  3.  8  they  who  believe  in  God  might  maintain  good  works. 

Heb.  3.  18  they  that  believe  not  should  not  enter  into  his  rest. 

Janies  2.  19  thou  belie  vest  there  is  one  God;  devils  believe  and 
tremble. 

1  Peter  1.  21  by  him  believe  in  God  that  raised  him  from  the 
dead,  &c. 

1  John  4.  16  we  have  believed  the  love  God  hath  for  us. 

5.  10  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God  hath  the  witness  in 
himself 

Booit  of  iHormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  6, 17  which  power  he  received  by  faith  on  the  Son 
of  God. 

2  Ncphi  11.  6,  7  my  soul  delighteth  in  proving  to  my  people, 
that,  save  Christ  should  come,  all  men  must  perish. 

25.  25  because  of  our  faith  we  are  made  alive  in  Christ.  26. 

26.  8  forward  to  Christ  with  steadfastness,  they  are  they  who 
shall  not  perish. 

31.  19  ye  have  not  come  thus  far  except  by  unshaken  faith  in 
Christ. 

32.  5  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  it  will  show  you  what  ye  shall  do. 

33.  4  my  words  persuade  them  to  believe  in  Jesus.  7, 10. 
Jacob  3.  1  pray  to  God  with  great  faith. 

7.  3  Sherem,  knowing  that  I,  Jacob,  had  faith  in  Christ,  who 
should  come. 

Eno8 1.  8  he  said  to  me,  because  of  thy  faith  in  Christ. 

Jarom  1.  11  persuading  them  to  believe  in  the  Messiah  to  come. 

Mas,  4.  2  for  we  believe  in  Christ  who  shall  come, 

8.  18  God  has  provided  means  that  man  through  faith  might 
work  mighty  miracles. 

Alma  5.  15  do  you  exercise  fkith  in  the  redemption  of  him  who 
created  you?  48. 
3 


15  ^  FAITH. 

13.  10—81  an  exhortation  to  repentance  and  faith  in  Christ, 
Chap,  22.  14. 

25.  15  they  looked  forward  to  the  coming  of  Christ. 

27.  27  the  Lamanites  were  firm  in  the  faith  of  Christ. 

44.  3  is  done  to  us  because  of  our  religion  and  faith  in  Christ.  -: . 

46.  41  those  who  died  in  the  faith  of  Clirist  are  happy  in  him. 

48.  13  Moroni  was  a  man  who  was  firm  in  tlie  faith  of  Christ. 

Hel.  3.  35  they  grew  firmer  and  firmer  in  the  faith  of  Christ. 

5.  9  no  way  a  man  can  be  saved,  only  through  Christ  who  shall 
come.  47. 

3  Nephi  11.  32  the  Holy  Ghost  bears  record  of  the  Father  and 
Son.  34,  35,  36. 

12.  19  that  ye  shall  believe  in  me  and  repent  of  your  sins. 

17.  8  I  see  that  your  faith  is  sutficient  that  I  should  heal  you.  20l 

19.  9  they  desired  .that  the  Holy  Ghost  be  given  unto  them. 

28  thou  hast  purified  these  whom  I  have  chosen  because  of 
their  faith.    29,  35. 

27.  19  none  can  enter  the  kingdom  unless  they  wash  their  gar- 
ments in  the  blood  of  Christ,  by  faith.  20. 

Chap.  28.  The  three  Nephite  disciples  of  Jesus  had  the  faith 
that  enabled  them  to  receive  a  change  in  their  bodies,  that  they 
might  remain  on  the  earth  until  his  coming. 

4  Nephi  1.  48  being  constrained  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  Ammaron 
hid  up  the  records. 

Mormon  7.  7  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are  one  God.  10. 

Ether  5.  4  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  beareth  record. 
Chap.  12.  41. 

12.  10  by  faith  they  of  old  were  called  after  the  holy  order  ol 
God. 

Moroni  6.  4  were  wrought  upon  and  cleansed  by  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.    Chap.  7.  32. 

8.  7—9  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  26. 

10.  4;_7  the  truth  will  be  manifested  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 


Sec.  18.  18  ask  the  Father  in  faith  and  vou  shall  receive  the 
Holy  Ghost.  19. 

41.  3  by  prayer  of  faith  ye  shall  receive  my  law. 

44.  2  if  they  exercise  faith  in  me  I  will  pour  my  Spiiit  on  them. 

45.  8  to  those  that  believe  on  my  name,  gave  I  power  to  obtain 
eternal  life.  ^  ,    ^ 

136.  42  Be  diligent  in  keeping  all  my  commandmenta  lest  your 
faith  fail  you. 

Page2.  Moses  declared  to  Satan  that  he  would  woi-ship  only- 
the  God  of  glory.    God  blessed  Moses  for  his  faith  in  liim. 

Q.  Adam  and  Eve  called  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  and  offered 
BACrifice. 

Thoti  Shalt  call  upon  God  in  the  name  of  the  Son  tor  evermore 


FAITH.  ^9 

13.  Adam  hearkened  to  the  voice  of  God  and  glorLfled  his  name. 

17.  many  believed  and  became  the  sons  of  God,  many  believed 
not  and  perished. 

21.  Enoch  asked  the  Lord  that  he  would  have  mercy  on  Noah 
and  his  seed,  inasmuch  as  he  was  God  and  he  knew  him. 

24.  Noah  walked  with  God,  and  all  his  three  sons,  also. 

29.  through  faith  in  thfi.J.ordrAtoMni  left  Ur  to  go  into  the 
Und  of  Canaiiu.      ^^^^^^^t->    a""^^ 

Yk^^  OP  THB 

riVERSITY) 

NECESSITY^¥==fc«»fTN  THE  HOLY 
PRIESTHOOD. 


In  every  dispensativon  in  which  God  has  made 
known  his  will  to  man,  it  has  been  done  through  a 
living,  inspired  Priesthood.  Passages  from  the 
sacred  writings  might  be  multiplied,  indefinitely,  on 
this  subject.  But  this  is  not  necessary,  inasmuch 
as  all  the  sacred  records  attest  the  necessity  of  an 
inspired  Priesthood,  and  obedience  to  it  on  the  part 
of  the  people,  if  they  would  understand  the  will  of 
the  Lord  concerning  them. 

Fifteen  centuries  of  the  history  of  Israel,  from  the 
Exodus  to  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  the  Ro- 
mans, is  a  record  of  adversity  through  disobedience 
to  seers  and  prophets,  and  of  prosperity,  the  result 
of  listening  to  their  teachings. 

Mankind,  with  a  wide  range  of  religious  tenets, 
are  instinctively  imbued  with  a  sentiment  of  reverence 
and  obedience  to  those  who  minister  in  the  ordinances 
of  religion.  After  the  apostacy  of  the  early  apostoliu 
church,  it  had  a  strong  hold  on  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple during  the  supremacy  of  the  Romish  church. 

We  may  consider  that  this  doctrine  began  to  lose 
its  hold  on  the  masses  of  the  people,  professing  Chris- 
tianity, after  the  Reformation  and  the  splitting  up  of 
the  Christian  world  into  a  great  multiplicity  of  sects. 

With  the  introduction  of  the  Gospel  and  the  Holy 


20  FAITH. 

Priesthood,  through  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  the  neces- 
sity of  faith  in  a  living  Priesthood  is  daily  being  made 
more  apparent  to  the  Latter-day  Saints. 

BiiU. 

Exod.  4.  1  Moses  answered,  they  will  not  believe.  8,  9,  30,  31. 

14.  31  Israel  believed  the  Lord  and  his  servant  Moses. 

19.  9  that  the  people  hear  when  I  speak  to  thee,  and  believe 
thee  for  ever. 

32,  19—34  the  golden  calf,  and  the  intercession  of  Moses  for  the 
people. 

Num.  12.  2  hath  the  Lord,  indeed,  spoken  only  by  Moses? 

Deut.  9.  19,  20  the  Lord  hearkened  to  me ;  I  prayed  for  Aaron 
also. 

Josh.  1.  5  as  I  was  with  Moses,  so  I  will  be  with  thee. 

2  Chron.  20.  20  believe  his  prophets,  so  shall  ye  i>rosper. 

Amos  3.  7  but  he  revealeth  his  secrets  to  his  servants  the 
prophets. 

Jonah,  Chap.  3.  the  Ninevites  saved  by  the  preaching  of  Jonah. 

Matt.  10. 14, 15  more  tolerable  for  Sodom  and  Gomorrha,  than 
for  those  who  will  not  hear  your  words. 

40  he  that  receiveth  you  receiveth  me. 

Luke  1.  19  sent  to  speak  to  thee,  and  shew  thee  these  glad  tid- 
ings. 45. 

10.  16  he  that  heareth  you  heareth  me.  29. 

24.  25  O  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to  believe  all  that  the  pro- 
phets have  spoken. 

John  5.  46  had  ye  believed  Moses,  ye  would  have  believed  me. 

13.  20  he  that  receiveth  whomsoever  I  send,  receiveth  me. 

17.  20  but  for  them,  also,  which  shall  believe  on  me  through 
their  word. 

1  Thess.  2.  13  when  ye  received  from  us,  ye  received  it  as  the 
word  of  God. 

Heb.  2.  2  for  if  the  word  spoken  by  angels  was  stc^adfast? 


Bofife  of  JHormoit. 

Jacob  1.  19  taking  the  responsibility  of  answering  the  sins  of 
the  people,  if  we  did  not  teach  them  the  word  of  the  Lord  with 
all  diligence. 

2.  2  responsibility  of  magnifying  my  office,  to  rid  my  garments 
of  your  sins. 

Mos.  2.  28  to  assemble  together,  that  I  might  rid  my  garments 
of  your  blood.  .       ,      ,        .,  ^     x 

3  Nephi  12.  1,  2  blessed  are  ye  if  ye  give  heed  to  the  words  of 
these  twelve,  whom  I  have  chosen.  _   , 

13.  25  ye  are  they  whom  I  have  chosen  to  minister  to  this 
people. 

15.  12  ye  are  my  disciples,  and  a  lig^ht  to  this  people 


FAITH.  al 

|9octr{itf  antr  (^ohtnnnts. 

Sec.  1.  4  voice  of ''warning  to  all  people,  by  the  mouth  of  my 
disciples.  ,  .    , 

8,  9  to  them  is  given  power  to  seal,  both  on  earth  and  in  heaven. 

14  they  who  will  not  hear  prophets  and  apostles  shall  be  cut  off. 
17,30. 

2.  II  will  reveal  to  you  the  Priesthood,  by  the  hand  of  Elijah. 

3.  9  thou  art  Jotseph,  and  wast  chosen  to  do  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  Sec.  5.  2,  10, 11—18. 

10.  33  Satan  tliinks  to  overpower  your  testimony.  , 

19.  13  keep  my  commandments  which  you  have  received  by 

J.  Smith,  Jun. 

24.  4  if  they  receive  them  not,  I  will  curse  instead  of  blessing 

them. 

28.  2  no  one  to  receive  revelations  for  the  church  but  J.  Smith, 
Jun.  3. 

7  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  has  tie  keys  of  the  revelations  which  are 
sealed,  until  I  shall  appoint  another  in  his  stead. 

29.  4  ye  are  chosen  out  of  the  v/orld  to  declare  my  Gospel.  7, 
10, 12. 

42.  61  J.  Smith.  Jun.,  to  receive  revelation,  and  know  the  mys- 
teries. 69. 

43.  3—5  none  but  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  appointed  to  receive  rev- 
elation. 12. 

52.  9  saying  none  other  things  than  those  which  the  prophets 
and  apostles  have  written. 

58.  45  behold  they  shall  push  the  people  together  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth. 

64.  5  the  keys  of  the  mysteries  shall  not  be  taken  from  J.  Smith, 
Jun. 

65.  2  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  are  commit;ted  to  man  on  the 
earth. 

68.  4  whatsoever  they  shall  speak  when  moved  upon  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  shall  be  scripture  and  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

75.  20  and  they  receive  you  not,  shake  off  the  dost  of  your  feet 

81,  2  to  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  I  have  given  the  keys  belonging  to  the 
Presidency. 

.  84.  64  every  soul  that  believes  on  your  words  shall  receive  the 
Holy  Ghost.  74. 

89  whoso  receiveth  you  receiveth  me.  90—95.    Sec.  99.  2 — 4. 

90.  3,  4  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  never  to  be  taken  from  J. 
Smith,  Jun.  Through  him  the  oracles  to  be  given  to  the  church. 
6, 14-16. 

103.  25  whomsoever  ye  cui-se  I  will  curse. 

35  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  to  organize  the  kingdom,  and  establish  the 
children  of  Zion. 

110.  16  the  keys  of  this  dispensation  are  committed  into  your 
hands. 

112.  15  the  keys  which  I  have  given  unto  him,  and  also  to  you- 
ward,  shall  not  be  taken  from  him  till  I  come,  16—21,  30—32. 

121.  36  the  rights  of  the  Priesthood  are  inseparably  connected 
with  the  powers  of  heaven. 

124.  58  my  servant,  Joseph,  in  thee  shall  the  kingdoms  of  the 
earth  be  blessed. 


22  FAITH. 

128  the  Twelve  hold  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  upon  the  four 
comers  of  the  earth. 

133.  26  the  prophets  of  the  north  countries  shall  hear  his  voice, 
and  shall  no  longer  stay  themselves.  • 

lo6.  37  ye  shall  behold  it  if  ye  are  faithful  in  keeping  all  my 
words,  from  the  days  of  Adam  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  whom  I 
called  on  by  my  angels. 

^iBnllKUttiUS  ^KSBK^ZS* 

Hob.  2.  4  the  just  shall  live  by  faith.  Rom,  1.  17.  Gal.  3.  11. 
Heb.  10.  38. 

Matt.  6.  30  shall  he  not  much  more  clothe  you,  0  ye  of  little 
faith?    lMkeV2..  28. 

8.  10  not  found  so  great  faith,  no,  not  in  Israel.    Luke  7.  9. 

17.  20  if  ye  have  faith  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed. 

21.  21  if  ye  have  faith,  not  only  da  this,  but  say  to  this  moun- 
tain. 

Mark  4.  40  how  is  it  that  ye  have  no  faith? 

Luke  18.  8  when  the  Son  of  man  cometh  shall  he  find  faith  on 
the  earth  ? 

Acts  15.  9  purifying  their  hearts  by  faith. 

26.  18  inheritance  among  those  who  are  sanctified  by  faith. 

Rom.  3.  3  shall  unbelief  make  the  faith  of  God  without  effect?  27. 

4.  5  his  faith  is  counted  to  him  for  righteousness.  9—16. 

10.  17  so  then  faith  comes  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word 
of  God. 

14,  22  hast  thou  faith  ?  have  it  to  thyself  before  God.  23. 

1  Cor.  2.  5  that  your  faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of 
men. 

16.  13  watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  be  strong. 

2  Cor.  4.  13  we  having  the  same  spirit  of  faith. 

5.  7  for  we  walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight. 

Gal.  3.  2  received  ye  the  spirit  by  works  of  the  law,  or  by  faith  ? 
5—25. 

5.  5  we  wait  for  the  hope  of  righteousness  by  faith.  6,  22. 

Eph.  6.  16  above  all  taking  the  shield  of  faith.  23. 

Phil.  3.  9  the  faith  of  Christ  the  righteousness  which  is  of  God 
by  faith, 

1  Thess.  1.  3  remembering  without  ceasing  your  work  of  faith. 

5.  8  putting  on  the  breastplate  of  faith  and  love, 

2  Thess.  1.  4  we  glory  for  your  patience  and  faith  in  your  perse- 
cutions. 11. 

ITim.l.  5  of  a  good  conscience  and  faith  unfeigned.  14,  19. 
Chap.  3.  9, 

2  Tim.  3.  8  men  of  corrupt  minds  reprobate  concerning  the 
faith.  10, 

4.  7  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith. 

Titus  1.  13  rebuke  sharply  ^hat  they  may  be  sound  in  the  faith. 

Hd).  4.  2  the  word  did  not  profit,  not  being  mixed  with  faith. 

6.  1  not  laying  again  the  foundation  o±  repentance  and  faith. 
Chap.  11.  by  faith  the  worlds  were  created,  the  violence  of  fire 

quenched,  the  armies  of  the  aliens  put  to  flight,  kingdoms  sub- 
dued, &c 

12.  2  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith. 


FAITH.  23 

James  1.  6  let  him  ask  In  faith,  nothing  wavering. 

2.  5  hath  not  God  choseikthe  poor  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith. 

5.  15  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick. 

1  Peter  1.  5  kept;  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salva- 
tion. 7,  9,  21. 

5.  9  whom  resist  steadfast  in  the  faith. 

2  Peter  1.  5  add  to  your  faith  viitue,  to  virtue  knowledge. 

1  John  5.  4  this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even 
our  faith. 

Jude  3.  Earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
Saints. 

Rev.  13.  10  here  is  the  patience  and  faith  of  the  Saints.  Chap, 
14.  12. 


Book  of  fKlormoit. 

1  Nephi  7.  12  the  Lord  can  do  all  things  for  men  through  their 
faith. 

16.  28  the  pointers  on  the  ball  worked  according  to  their 
faith.  29. 

2  Nephi  1.  10  having  power  given  them  to  do  all  things  by  faith. 
27.  23  God  works  not  among  the  children  of  men  save  it  be  ac- 
cording to  their  faith. 

Jacob  1.  5  manifest  to  us  by  faith,  what  should  happen  to  our 
people. 

Enos  1.  12—18  through  faith  Enos  obtained  a  promise  that  the 
records  should  be  preserved  to  come  forth  to  the  Lamanites, 

Mos.  4.  6  that  salvation  might  come  to  him  who  continues  in 
faith  to  the  end.  21,  30. 

Alma  7.  6  look  forward  for  the  remission  of  sins,  with  an  ever- 
lasting faith. 

12.  30  plan  of  salvation  made  known  according  to  men's  faith. 
33,  34,  37. 

13.  2,  3,  4  men  called  to  the  Holy  Priesthood  according  to  their 
faith. 

18.  35  the  Spirit  gives  knowledge  and  power  according  to  faith. 

32.  18  I  ask,  Is  this  faith  ?  if  a  man  knoweth  a  thing,  he  has  no 
cause  to  believe.  21,  26,  27. 

28 — 43  faith  illustrated  by  a  parable  of  a  seed. 

57.  21—27  through  faith  the  young  Ammonites  were  preserved 
in  battle. 

HeL  5.  20—52  deliverance  of  Nephi  and  Lehi  from  prison 
through  their  great  faith. 

6.  1  the  Lamanites  exceeded  the  Nephites  In  righteousness  on 
account  of  their  great  faith. 

Mormon  3.  12  it  was  without  faith  because  of  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts. 

8.  24  he  knoweth  their  faith,  for  in  his  name  could  they  re- 
move nlountains. 

Ether  3.  This  chapter  gives  an  account  of  great  manifestations 
to  the  brother  of  Jared,  on  account  of  liis  great  faith. 

12.  4—33  many  examples  given  of  the  power  of  faith. 

Moroni  7.  21-^^i  instructions  on  faith. 

8.  3  will  keep  you  through  the  endurance  of  faith  on  his  name 


10.  4  if  ye  ask,  having  faith,  he  will  manifest  the  truth  to  yon. 
7, 11. 


Mothint  aitir  ^ob^nantjaf. 

Sec.  1.  21  that  faith  might  also  increase  in  the  earth. 
4.  5  faith,  hope,  charity,  love,  &c.,  qualify  him  for  the  work. 
Sec.  (5.  19,  and  12.  8. 

8.  10  without  faith  you  can  do  nothing;  ask  in  faith.  11. 

26.  2  all  things  to  be  done  by  common  consent,  by  much  prayer 
and  faith. 

27.  17  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith  to  quench  the  fiery 
darts  of  the  wicked. 

41.  3  by  prayer  of  faith  ye  shall  receive  my  law. 

52.  20  tlie  days  have  come  when  according  to  men's  faith  it 
shall  be  done  unto  them. 

108.  36  all  victory  is  brought  to  paiss  through  your  diligence 
and  prayers  of  faith. 


FAITH   IN  CONTINUAL  REVELATION. 


Num.  11.  29  Moses  said,  would  that  all  the  Lord's  people  were 
prophets. 

i-rov.  29.  18  where  there  is  no  vision  the  people  perish. 

Mark  IG.  17  and  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe. 

John  14.  12  he  that  believeth  on  me  shall  do  the  works  that  J 
do,  and  greater. 

16.  18  Spirit  of  truth  will  teach  you  aU  things. 

Acts  2.  39  the  promise  is  to  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall 
call. 

Horn.  1.  17  for  therein  is  the  righteousness  of  God  revealed, 
from  faith  to  faith. 

3.  22  the  righteousness  of  God  is  unto  all,  and  upon  all  that 
believe. 

Eph.  3.  19  that  ye  might  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

James  1.  5  if  any  lack  wisdom  let  him  ask  of  God. 

1  John  2.  27  the  anointing  which  you  have  received  teacheth 
you  all  things. 

JSooIi  of  ^ormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  17—19  the  gifts  and  mysteries  of  God  to  be  unfolded 
to  all  men  and  in  all  times,  to  those  who  diligently  seek  them. 


FAITH.  25 

12.  18  the  Messiah  of  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  beareth  record 
from  the  beginning  until  this  time,  henceforth  and  forever. 

22.  2  by  the  Spirit  are  all  tilings  made  known  to  the  prophets. 

2  Nephi  4.  35  God  will  give  liborally  to  him  that  asketh. 

26.  13  Chriijt  manifesteth  him.-elf  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  all  who  believe  on  him. 

27.  23  that  I  am  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.  Chap. 
29.  9. 

28.  29  wo  be  to  him  that  shall  say,  we  have  received  the  word 
of  God  and  need  no  more.  30. 

29.  6  thou  fool  that  shall  say,  we  have  a  Bible  and  need  no 
more.  7—12. 

Alma  39.  19  is  it  not  as  easy  for  the  Lord  to  declare  these  things 
to  us  as  unto  our  children,  or  as  after  the  time  of  his  coming? 

3  Nephi  '21.  29  for  he  that  asketh  receiveth ;  and  to  him  that 
knockcth  it  shall  be  opened. 

Mormon^.  7—11  God,  a  God  of  miracles,  revelations  and  pro- 
phecy, the  same  yesterday,  to-dav  and  for  ever.  15 — 19.  Marom. 
10.  19, 

Moroni  7.  29  have  miracles  ceased,  or  have  angels  ceased  to 
minister  to  men  because  Christ  has  ascended  to  heaven?  37,  38. 


^uttxint  aitlJ  CobtTtant5. 

Sec.  1.  11  the  voice  of  the  Lord  is  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth.  20. 

11.  25  wo  to  him  that  denieth  the  Spirit  of  revelation  and  pro- 
phecy. 

20.  11  that  God  inspires  men  to  do  his  work  in  this  generation, 
as  well  as  in  generations  of  old.  12 — ^17. 

26—28  not  only  those  who  are  but  who  have  been  and  who 
shall  be,  who  believe  in  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God,  shall  be 
saved. 

35  diminishing  nothing  from  the  revelations  of  John,  or  from 
the  revelations  of  God  which  shall  come  hereafter,  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

35.  8  will  show  miracles  and  wonders  unto  all  who  believe  on 
my  name. 

42.  61  if  thou  Shalt  ask  thou  shalt  receive  revelation  upon 
revelation.  67,  68. 

50.  a")  by  giving  heed  to  what  you  have  received,  and  shall 
hereafter  receive, 

59.  4  with  commandments  not  a  few,  and  with  revelations  in 
their  time, 

70.  3  revelations  which  I  have  given  them,  and  which  I  shall 
hereafter  give. 


See  sermon  by  H,  C,  Kimball ^  y,  of  D,,   Vol.  .?,  pa^e  220. 

••      J.      ••     797. 
O,  Spencer* s  Letters  to  Rev.    W.  Crowell^  No.  3. 
A  Pamjyhlef,  by  O.  Pratt,  on  Faith. 
Article  by  F.  D.  Richards,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  2g,  page  681. 


2&  RErKNTANOE. 


REPENTANCE. 


The  Nephite  prophet,  Alma,  gives  a  very  compre* 
hensive  idea  of  the  importance  of  repentance.  •'  Yea, 
I  would  that  ye  would  come  forth  and  harden  not 
your  hearts  any  longer;  for  behold,  now  is  the  time, 
and  the  day  of  your  salvation;  and  therefore,  if  ye 
will  repent  and  harden  not  your  hearts,  immediately 
shall  the  great  plan  of  redemption  be  brought  about 
unto  you.  For  behold,  this  life  is  the  time  for  men  to 
prepare  to  meet  God;  yea,  behold  the  day  of  this 
life  is  the  day  for  men  to  perform  their  labors.  And 
now  as  I  said  unto  you  before,  as  ye  have  had  so 
many  witnesses,  therefore,  I  beseech  of  you  that  ye 
do  not  procrastinate  the  day  of  your  repentance  until 
the  end;  for  after  this  day  of  life,  which  is  given  us 
to  prepare  for  eternity,  behold,  if  we  do  not  improve 
our  time  while  in  this  hfe,  then  cometh  the  night  of 
darkness,  wherein  there  can  be  no  labor  performed. 
Ye  cannot  say,  when  ye  are  brought  to  that  awful 
crisis,  that  1  will  repent,  that  I  will  return  to  my  God. 
Nay,  ye  cannot  say  this ;  for  that  same  spirit  which 
doth  possess  your  bodies  at  the  time  ye  go  out  of  this 
life,  that  same  spirit  will  have  power  to  possess  your 
body  in  that  eternal  world.  For  behold,  if  ye  have 
procrastinated  the  day  of  your  repentance,  even  until 
death,  behold,  ye  have  become  subject  to  the  spirit  of 
the  devil,  and  he  doth  seal  you  his;  therefore,  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  hath  withdrawn  from  you,  and  hath 
no  place  in  you,  and  the  devil  hath  all  power  over 
you;  and  this  is  the  final  state  of  the  wicked."  Alma 

34.  31-35- 

"  For  Godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  to  salva- 
tion not  to  be  repented  of:    but  the  sorrow  of  the 
world  worketh  death;"  2  Cor.  7.  10.     Of  the  sorrow 
that  worketh  death  was  that  of  Judas ;  Matt,  27.  3 — 5 
Xn  some  passages  of  the  Scriptures  repentance  signi- 


REPENTANCE.  2? 

fies  a  change  of  purpose  in  man,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
son  who  refused  to  work  in  his  father's  vineyard,  but  ^ 
afterwards  repented  and  went;  21.  28,  29. 

Again,  it  expresses  the  sympathy  of  the  Lord  for 
the  sufferings  of  his  people:  *'  For  the  Lord  heark- 
ened because  of  their  groanings  by  reason  of  them 
that  oppressed  them;"  Judges  2.  18.  It  sometimes 
expresses  sympathy  in  man  for  the  sufferings  of 
others:  "And  the  people  repented  them  for  Benja- 
min, because  that  the  Lord  had  made  a  breach  in  the 
tribes  of  Israel;"  21.  15. 

In  the  history  of  the  deliverance  of  Israel  from 
Egypt,  we  are  informed  that  Pharaoh's  heart  was 
hardened,  so  that  he  would  not  let  the  people  go.  We 
are  evidently  to  understand  by  this,  that  on  account 
of  the  great  wickedness  of  the  Egyptians,  the  Lord 
did  not  soften  their  hearts  by  the  gentle  influences  of 
his  Spirit,  but  permitted  them  to  pursue  their  own 
chosen  way  and  suffer  the  consequences. 

We  read  in  the  Revelations  of  St.  John:  "And 
the  rest  of  the  men  which  were  not  killed  by  these 
plagues  yet  repented  not  of  the  works  of  their 
hands;''  9.  20.  "And  blasphemed  the  God  of  heaven 
because  of  their  pains  and  their  sores,  and  repented 
not  of  their  deeds;"  16.  11.  These,  hke  the  Egyp- 
tians, had  passed  the  day  of  repentance,  and  were 
left  to  reap  the  reward  of  their  wickedness. 

On  account  of  their  former  wickedness,  it  was  all 
the  converted  Lamanites  could  do  to  repent;  Alma 
24.  II. 

Repentance  is  a  gift  of  God:  "Then  hath  God 
also  to  the  Gentiles  granted  repentance  unto  life;" 
Acts  II.  18.  "If  God  peradventure  will  give  them 
repentance  to  the  acknowledging  of  the  truth;"  2 
Tim.  2.  25.  "Not  knowing  that  the  goodness  of  God 
leadeth  them  to  repentance;"  Rom,  2.  4.  That  is, 
the  Lord  grants  to  men  of  his  Holy  Spirit  to  soften 
their  hearts  and  enlighten  their  understandings,  that 
they  may  see  and  receive  the  truth,  if  they  will;  but 
his  Spirit  will  not  always  strive  with  man.  Confes- 
sion of  sin,  and  restitution  to  the  injured  party,  was 
early  made  a  standing  law  in  Israel;  Num,  5.  6,  7. 


28  REPENTANCE. 

Confession  is  one  of  the  oulward  evidences  of  a 
godly  sorrow  for  sin:  *' For  with  the  heart  man  be- 
lieveth  unto  righteousness ;  and  with  the  mouth  con- 
fession is  made  unto  salvation;"  Rom,iQ.  lo.  "Con- 
fess your  faults  one  to  another,  and  pray  for  one  an- 
other, that  ye  may  be  healed;"  James  5.   16. 

On  account  of  the  magnitude  of  sins  committed, 
repentance  is  not  always  followed  by  forgiveness  and 
restoration.  For  instance,  when  Peter  was  preaching 
to  the  Jews,  who  had  slain  Jesus  and  taken  his  blood 
on  themselves  and  their  children,  he  did  not  say,  re- 
pent and  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins;  but 
*'  Repent  ye  therefore,  and  be  converted,  that  your 
sins  may  be  blotted  out,  when  the  times  of  refreshing 
shall  come  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord;  and 
(when)  he  shall  send  Jesus  Christ,  which  before  was 
preached  unto  you:  whom  the  heaven  must  receive 
until  the  times  of  the  restitution  of  all  things;"  Acts 
3.  19 — 2K  That  is,  repent  now,  and  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ,  that  you  may  be  forgiven  when  he  whom  you 
have  slain  shall  come  again  in  the  days  of  the  resti- 
tution of  all  things;  and  prescribe  to  you  the  terras 
on  which  you  may  be  saved. 

1  King9  8.  47  if  they  repent  in  the  land  of  their  captivity. 

Job  42.  6  I  abhor  myself  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes. 

Psalm  106.  45  repented  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  mer- 
cies. 

110.  4  the  Lord  hath  sworn  and  will  not  repent.  Heh.  7.  21. 

Ezk.  14.  6  repent  and  turn  from  your  idols.  Chap.  18.  30, 

24.  14  neither  will  I  spare,  neither  will  I  repent. 

Matt.  3.  2  repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand. 
Chap.  4.  17. 

8  bring  forth  fruit  meet  for  repentance.    Luke  3.  8. 

9.  13  not  to  call  the  righteous  but  sinners  to  repentance.  Luke 
6.  32. 

11.  20  because  they  repented  not.  21.    Luke  10.  13. 

12.  41  the  men  of  Nineveh  shall  rise  in  judgment  with  this  gen- 
eration.   Luke  11.  32. 

Mark  1.  15  repent  ye  and  believe  the  Gospel. 

6.  12  they  went  and  preached  that  men  should  repent, 

Luke  13.  3  except  ye  repent  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.  5. 

15.  7  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  than  over  ninety-nine  that 
need  no  repentance. 

16.  30  if  one  went  unto  them  from  the  dead  they  will  repent. 


REPENTANCE.  29 

17.  8  if  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee,  and  repent,  forgive 
him.  4. 

Acts  17.  30  times  of  ignorance  God  winked  at  but  now  com- 
mands men  to  repent. 

26.  20  to  the  Centiles  that  they  should  do  works  meet  for  re- 
pentance. 

Eom.  2.  4  not  knowing  that  the  goodness  of  God  leadeth  thee 
to  repentance. 

2  Cor.  7.  9  but  that  ye  sorrowed  to  repentance. 

10  Godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  to  salvation,  not  to  be  re- 
pented of. 

Heb.  6.  1  not  laying  again  the  foundation  of  repentance  from 
dead  works.    6. 

12.  17  he  found  no  place  of  repentance  though  he  sought  it. 

2  Peter  3.  9  that  any  should  perish,  but  all  should  come  to  re- 
pentance. 

Eev.  3.  8  remember  how  thou  hast  received ;  hold  fast  and 
repent. 

19  those  I  love  I  chasten ;  be  zealous,  therefore,  and  repent. 


Book  of  JHlormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  18  the  way  is  prepared  for  all  men  if  they  will  re- 
pent. 

22.  28  shall  dwell  safely  in  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  if  they  will 
repent. 

2  Nephi  2.  21  he  gave  commandment  that  all  men  should  re- 
pent. 

9.  24  if  they  will  not  repent  and  be  baptized  they  must  be 
damned. 

30,  2  the  Gentiles  that  will  repent  are  the  covenant  people  of 
the  Lord. 

Jacob  3.  3  except  ye  repent  the  land  is  cursed  for  your  sakes. 

Mos.  4.  10  believe  that  you  must  repent  of  your  sins,  and  for- 
sake them.  18. 

12.  8  unless  they  repent  I  will  utterly  destroy  them.  12. 

18.  7  Alma  preached  repentance  at  the  waters  of  Mormon. 

20  he  commanded  they  should  preach  nothing  but  repentance 
and  faith. 

26.  22  shall  be  baptized  unto  repentance. 

27.  24  Alma  said  I  have  repented  of  my  sins  and  been  re- 
deemed. 

29.  19  were  it  not  for  the  interposition  of  the  Creator  because 
of  their  repentance. 

Alma  5.  31—83  repentance  necessary  to  salvation.  49—56. 

7.  9  the  Spirit  saith  repent,  prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord. 

9.  12  except  ye  repent  ye  can  in  no  wise  inherit  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

12.  15  power  to  «ave  all  that  bring  forth  fruit  meet  for  repent- 
ance. 

2-4  this  life  a  probationary  state  for  repentance. 

22.  6  will  repent  ye  shall  be  saved. 

26.  22  to  him  that  repentoth  is  given  to  know  the  mysteries  of 
God. 


30  REPENTANCE. 

'27.  23  because  of  their  sore  repentance  on  account  of  their 
many  murders. 

29.  1,  2  that  I  were  an  angel  to  cry  repentance  io  all  people. 

M.  31—35  to  delay  repentance  until  death  is  to  become  subject 
to  the  devil. 

42.  4  there  was  a  probationary  time  granted  to  man  for  repent- 
ance. 5, 13. 

16  repentance  could  not  come  unto  men  except  there  was  a 
punishment. 

Hel.  5.  11  he  hath  power  to  redeem  them  from  their  sins  be- 
cause of  repentance. 

7.  17  O  repent  ye !  why  will  ye  die  ? 

19—24, 28  the  Nephites  warned  ol  great  destruction,  unless  they 
would  repent. 

8.  7  the  things  he  saith  will  come  to  pass  unless  we  repent.  26. 

10.  11  Nephites  to  be  smitten  unless  they  would  repent.  17. 

11.  8—17  tlie  Lord  turned  away  the  famine  from  the  Nephites 
because  of  repentance. 

12.  22—24  that  men  might  be  saved,  hath  repentance  been  de- 
clared. 

13.  2  Samuel  preached  repentance  to  the  people  of  Zara- 
hemla.  6. 

14.  17, 18  the  resurrection  of  Christ  brings  to  pass  the  conditions 
of  repentance. 

3  Nephi  9.  2  wo  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  unless  they 
repent.  13,  22. 

10.  6  how  oft  will  I  gather  you  if  ye  will  repent.    Matt  23.  37. 
16.  13  if  the  Gentiles  will  repent  they  shall  be  numbered  with 

my  people. 

18.  16  as  I  pray,  ye  shall  pray  among  those  who  repent  and  are 
baptized.  30—32. 

23.  5  he  who  repents  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved. 

26.  17  whoso  repents  and  is  baptized  shall  be  filled. 

Mormon  2.  8  althougli  destruction  hung  over  the  Nephites  they 
would  not  repent.  10—13. 

3.  22  I  would  that  I  could  persuade  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth  to 
repent. 

5.  22  how  can  ye  stand  before  the  power  of  God  except  ye 
repent?  24. 

7.  3  ye  must  come  to  repentance  or  ye  cannot  be  saved.  5,  7,  8. 

Ether  2.  11  may  repent  and  not  continue  in  your  iniquities, 
until  the  fulness  come. 

5.  5  if  so  be  they  repent  and  come  unto  the  Father. 

7.  23  there  came  prophets  warning  the  people  to  repent.  25,  26. 

8.  23  that  things  may  be  shown  to  you  that  ye  may  repent, 

11.  1  many  prophecies  of  the  destruction  of  the  people,  unless 
they  should  repent.  6,  8, 12,  20. 

12.  3  Ether  exhorted  the  people  to  believe  in  God  unto  repent- 
ance. 

Moroni  6.  7  if  they  repented  not  their  names  were  blotted 
out.  8. 

8.  24  repentance  is  unto  those  who  are  under  the  curse  of  a 
broken  law.  25. 


REPENTANCE.  31 

Sec.  1.  32,  33  from  him  that  repents  not  shall  be  taken  the  light 
be  has  received.    Sec.  5.  21. 

3.  10  God  commanded  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  to  repent. 

5.  19  a  desolating  scourge  shall  go  forth  if  they  repent  not. 

10.  4  every  one  must  repent  or  suffer,  for  I,  God,  am  endless. 
3,  15. 

20.  29  all  men  must  repent  and  endure  in  faith,  or  they  cannot 
be  saved. 

29.  17  1  will  take  vengeance  on  the  wicked  for  they  will  not 
repent. 

44  they  cannot  be  redeemed  because  they  repented  not.  49. 

83.  10  repent,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand. 

39.  18  inasmuch  as  they  repent,  I  will  stay  mine  hand  in  judg- 
ment. 

42.  77  if  not  married,  they  shall  repent  and  ye  shall  receive 
them. 

43.  20  call  on  the  nations  to  repent.  Prepare,  for  the  great  day 
of  the  Lord.  21,  22. 

54.  3  if  your  brethren  desire  to  escape  their  enemies  let  them 
repent. 

63.  15  repent  speedily,  lest  Judgment  come  on  them  as  a  snare. 

68.  24  if  he  repent  he  shall  be  forgiven,  according  to  the  cove- 
nants. 

75.  29  the  idler  shall  not  have  place  in  the  church,  except  he 
repent. 

Si.  57  to  remain  under  condemnation,  until  they  repent.  76. 

90.  34  your  brethren  in  Zion  begin  to  repent  and  the  angels  re- 
joice. 35. 

98.  21  will  chasten  them  if  they  do  not  repent  and  observe  all 
things. 

109.  21  wh«n  thy  people  trangress,  they  may  speedily  repent 
and  return  unto  thee.  29. 

50  that  wicked  mob  may  repent,  if  repentance  can  be  found.  53. 

124.  50  visit  on  the  heads  of  those  who  hindered  my  work,  if 
they  repent  not.  52, 116. 

133.  16  he  commandeth  all  men,  everywhere,  to  repent. 

136.  85  their  sorrow  shall  be  great  unless  they  repent  speedily. 

^tarl  d£  (Scnat  ^xin. 

Page  9.  said  to  Adam,  thou  shalt  repent  and  call  upon  God. 

13.  Adam  called  on  his  sons  to  repent. 

14.  the  sons  of  Adam  called  on  all  men  to  repent. 

16.  God  hath  made  known  to  our  fathers  that  all  men  must  re- 
pent.   Teach  it  to  your  children  that  all  men  must  repent. 

18.  the  Lord  said  to  Enoch,  say  to  this  people  repent,  lest  I 
smite  them  with  a  curse.  He  called  on  all  but  the  people  of  Cai- 
naan  to  repent. 

23.  if  men  do  not  repent  I  will  send  in  the  floods  upon  them 
For  it  repenteth  Noah  that  I  have  created  them. 

History  of  Jostph  Smithy  Sept.  /,  18^5, 
A  PamphUt  by  O,  Pratt,  on  Repentance, 


33  BAPTISM. 


BAPTISM. 


NECESSITY  OF  BAPTISM. 


That  Gospel  baptism  is  necessary  to  salvation,  is 
abundantly  evidenced  in  the  sacred  writings.  Christ, 
the  highest  authority  known  to  man,  asserted  this 
most  emphatically  when  he  said  to  Nicodemus, 
'*  Verily,  verily^  1  say  unto  thee,  Except  a  man  be 
born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God;  "  John  3.  5, 

So  important  did  the  Savior  consider  baptism, 
that  when  he  went  to  John  to  be  baptized,  and  John 
forbade  him,  he  replied  to  him,  "Suffer  //  to  be  so 
now:  for  thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteous- 
ness; "  Matt.  3.  13 — 15.  In  this  he  taught  John  the 
doctrine  that  a  fulness  of  righteousness  or  salvation, 
could  not  be  received  without  it. 

The  prophet  Nephi,  who  lived  nearly  600  years 
before  the  birth  of  our  Savior,  clearly  understood  the 
necessity  of  baptism.  Said  he,  *'And  now,  if  the 
Lamb  of  God,  he  being  holy,  should  have  need  to  be 
baptized  by  water,  to  fulfil  all  righteousness,  O  then, 
how  much  more  need  have  we,  being  unholy,  to  be 
baptized,  yea,  even  by  water;  "  2  Nephi  31.  5. 

The  prophet  Mormon,  who  lived  nearly  1,000 
years  after  Nephi,  also  taught  the  necessity  of  fol- 
lowing the  example  of  our  Savior  in  being  baptized, 
first,  by  water;  Mor?7ton'j.  10. 

In  the  opening  up  of  the  latter-day  dispensation, 
the  Lord  said  to  his  prophet  Joseph,  '*  Whosoever 
believeth  on  my  words  them  will  I  visit  with  the 
manifestation  of  my  Spirit,  and  they  shall  be  born  of 
me,  even  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit;  "  Doc.  &^  Cov. 
«;.  16. 


BAPTISM.  33 

The  Lord,  in  a  revelation  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun., 
and  Sidney  Rigdon,  speaking  of  those  who  should  be 
worthy  to  come  forth  in  the  resurrection  of  the  just, 
says,  "They  are  they  who  received  the  testimony  oi 
Jesus,  and  believed  on  his  name  and  were  baptized 
after  the  manner  of  his  burial,  being  buried  in  the 
water  in  his  name;  "  76.  51, 

Matt.  28.  19  go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing 
them. 

Mark  16.  16  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved. 

John  1.  33  he  that  sent  me  to  baptize  with  water. 

Acts  2.  41  then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  bai> 
tized. 

1  Cor.  12. 13  for  by  one  spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body. 

Gal.  3.  27  as  many  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ,  have  put 
on  Christ. 

Eph.  4.  5  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism. 

1  Peter  3.  21  the  like  figure  whereunto  even  baptism  doth  now 
save  us. 

Book  of  iHormon. 

2  Nephi  31.  11  the  Father  said,  repent,  and  be  baptized. 

17  the  gate  by  which  ye  shall  enter  is  repentance  and  baptism. 
Alma  5.  62  be  baptized  unto  repentance. 

\\  27  Cometh  to  redeem  those  who  will  be  baptized  unto  re- 
pentance. 

3  Nephi  18.  5  one  shall  be  ordained  to  break  bread,  and  give  to 
those  who  are  baptized  in  my  name. 

28.  18  uniting  to  the  church  those  who  believe  on  their  preach- 
ing, baptizing  them. 

Mormon  9.  29  see  that  ye  are  not  baptized  unworthily. 

Moroni  6.  1 — 4  explains  who  are  fit  subjects  for  baptism. 

8.  4—22  the  reasons  given  why  little  children  are  not  fit  subjects 
for  baptism. 

Igottrint  aitlr  Cobtitantjff. 

Sec.  68.  8  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  baptizing  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

112.  29  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved ;  he  that 
believeth  not  and  is  not  baptized  shall  be  damned. 

128.  12  baptism  by  immersion  necessary  to  answer  to  the  like- 
ness of  the  dead,  that  one  principle  might  accord  with  the  other. 
Also  in  likeness  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  in  coming  forth 
out  of  their  graves.  This  passage  explains  and  beautifully  acebrds 
with  R(m.  6.  ^  md  Ool.  2.  12. 
i 


34  BAPTISM. 

^taxl  of  (ififnat  ^titu 

Page  16.  the  Holy  Spirit  promised  to  Adam,  if  he  would  repent 
and  be  baptized.  Explanation  of  the  necessity  of  being  born  of 
water  and  of  the  Spirit, 

17.  gives  an  account  of  the  baptism  of  Adam. 


MODE  OF  BAPTISM. 

Not  only  is  the  necessity  of  baptism  taught  us  by 
the  highest  possible  authority,  but,  as  well,  the  man- 
ner in  which  that  ordinance  is  to  be  administered. 

Adam,  the  Father  of  the  race,  set  an  example 
for  all  his  children  to  follow.  '^And  it  came  to 
pass,  when  the  Lord  had  spoken  with  Adam,  our 
father,  that  Adam  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  was 
caught  away  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  was  car- 
ried down  into  the  water,  and  was  laid  under  the 
water,  and  was  brought  forth  out  of  the  water.  And 
thus  he  was  baptized;  and  the  Spirit  of  God  des- 
cended upon  him,  and  thus  he  was  born  of  the 
Spirit,  and  became  quickened  in  the  inner  man;" 
P.  of  G.  P,,  p.  17. 

Christ  went  where  John  was  baptizing  in  the  river 
Jordan,  to  be  baptized  of  him,  and  "when  he  was 
baptized,  went  up  straightway  out  of  the  water;" 
Matt,  3.  16.  That  he  was  immersed,  or  buried  in 
the  water,  is  evident  from  the  sayings  of  the  Apostle 
Paul,  ''Therefore  we  are  buried  with  him  by  bap- 
tism into  death:  that  hke  as  Christ  was  raised  up 
from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so 
we  also  should  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For  if  we 
have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his 
death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  restirrec- 
tion;''''  Rom,  6.  4,  5.  *' Buried  with  him  in  baptism, 
wherein  also  ye  are  risen  with  him  through  the  faith 
of  the  operation  of  God;  "  Col.  2.  12. 

The  meaning  of  these  passages  is  evident.  If  we 
would  come  forth  iii  the  resurrection  in  the  likeness 
.of  Christ,  we  must,  like  him,  be  buried  in  the  water, 


BAPTISM.  35 

and  come  forth  out  of  the  water,  in  the  likeness  of  his 
burial  and  resurrection. 

The  Nephites  knew  no  other  mode  of  Gospel  bap- 
tism than  immersion.  Said  Jesus  to  his  Nephite  dis- 
ciples, **And  then  shall  ye  immerse  them  in  the 
water,  and  come  forth  again  out  of  the  water;  '*  3 
Nephi  II.  26. 

When  our  Savior  sent  forth  his  Jewish  disciples 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  he  authorized  them  to  baptize 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost;  Matt.  28.  19.  He  instructed  his  Nephite  dis- 
ciples to  use  the  following  words,  "  Having  authority 
given  me  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.     Amen;"  3  Nephi  11.  25. 

Quite  explicit  instructions  on  this  subject  are 
given  to  the  Latter-day  Saints  in  the  Doc,  &^  Cov.: 
"  The  person  who  is  called  of  God,  and  has  authority 
from  Jesus  Christ  to  baptize,  shall  go  down  into  the 
water  with  the  person  who  has  presented  him  or  her- 
self for  baptism,  and  shall  say,  calling  him  or  her  by 
name — Having  been  commissioned  of  Jesus  Christ,  I 
baptize  you  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen.  Then  shall  he 
immerse  him  or  her  in  the  water,  and  come  forth 
again  out  of  the  water;  "  20.  73,  74. 

Under  date  of  M^y,  1829,  we  find  the  following 
account  of  the  baptism  of  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  O. 
Cowdery,  being  the  first  baptisms  in  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  ot  Latter-day  Saints:  ** Accordingly 
we  went  and  were  baptized,  I  baptized  him  first, 
and  afterwards  he  baptized  me,  after  which  T  laid 
my  hands  upon  his  head  and  ordained  him  to  the 
Aaronic  Priesthood,  afterwards  he  laid  his  hands 
on  me  and  ordained  me  to  the  same  Priesthood — for 
so  were  we  commanded.  *  *  *  it  was  on  the 
fifteenth  day  of  May,  1829,  that  we  were  ordained 
under  the  hand  of  the  Messenger,  and  baptized. 
Immediately  on  our  coming  up  out  of  the  water,  after 
we  had  been  baptized,  we  experienced  gieat  and  glo- 
rious blessings." 


36  BAPTISM. 

Matt.  3,  6  all  baptized  of  him  in  Jordan,  confessing  their  sins. 

3.  13  then  eometh  Jesus  from  Galilee  to  Jordan  unto  John. 

John  3.  23  John  was  baptizing  in  Enon  near  Salem,  because 
there  was  much  water  there. 

Acts  8.  38,  39  Philip  went  down  into  the  water  with  the  eu- 
nuch. 

22.  16  arise  and  be  baptized  and  wash  awaj'  thy  sins. 

1  Cor.  10.  2  all  baptized  unto  Moses  in  the  cloud  and  in  the  sea. 

Titus  3.  5  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

38oofe  of  ^ormon. 

Mos.  18.  12—17  a  description  of  the  manner  in  which  Alma 
baptized  the  Lamanites  in  the  waters  of  Mormon. 

26.  15  blessed  are  they  who  were  baptized  in  the  waters  of 
Mormon. 

Alma  4.  4  many  were  baptized  by  Alma  in  the  river  Sidon. 

8  Nephi  11.  23—28  conditions  for  and  form  of  baptism. 

19.  11—13  Nephi,  and  his  brethren,  went  down  into  the  water, 
and  came  up  out  of  the  water. 

^tarl  nt  aSiXtKt  ^xitt. 

Page  17.  Adam  was  laid  under  the  water,  and  brought  forth 
outof  the  water. 

18.  Enoch  was  commanded  to  baptize  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 


OBJECT  OF   BAPTISM. 

The  primary  aim  and  end  of  baptism  is  the  remis- 
sion of  sins.  This  subject  is  fully  explained  by  the 
Lord  to  our  Father  Adam.  "  Therefore  I  give  unto 
you  a  commandment,  to  teach  these  thino^s  freely  unto 
your  children,  saying,  That  by  reason  of  transgres- 
sion eometh  the  fall,  which  fall  bringeth  death,  and 
inasmuch  as  ye  were  born  into  the  world  by  water, 
and  blood,  and  the  spirit,  which  I  have  made,  and  so 
became  of  dust  a  living  soul,  even  so  ye  must  be  born 
again  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  of  water,  and  of 
the  spirit,  and  be  cleansed  by  blood,  even  the  blood 


BAPTISM.  37 

of  mine  Only  Begotten;  that  ye  might  be  sanctified 
from  all  sin,  and  enjoy  the  words  of  eternal  life  in 
this  world,  and  eternal  life  in  the  world  to  come,  even 
immortal  glory:  For  by  the  water  ye  keep  the  com- 
mandment; by  the  spirit  ye  are  justified,  and  by  the 
blood  ye  are  sanctified;  therefore  it  is  given  to  abide 
in  you;  the  record  of  heaven;  the  Comforter;  the 
peaceable  things  of  immortal  glory;"  P,  of  G,  P., 
p.  i6. 

The  above  quotation  is  full  of  meaning,  but  it  is 
evident,  at  once,  that  the  object  of  baptism  is  to  open 
the  way  through  which,  alone,  men  may  attain  to  all 
the  blessings  of  salvation  and  eternal  life.  It  was 
especially  the  mission  of  John  the  Baptist  to  preach 
the  baptism  of  repentance  for  the  remission  of  sins; 
Mark  1.4. 

On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  Apostle  Peter  very 
earnestly  exhorted  the  multitude,  "'Repent,  and  be 
baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins;  "  Acts  2.  38. 

The  Apostle  Paul  says,  "  Without  shedding  of 
blood  is  no  remission;"  Heb.  9.  22.  John  the  Apos- 
tle also  asserts  tbe  same  doctrine:  "The  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin;"  i 
John  1.7.  It  is  evident,  from  the  tenor  of  the  sacred 
writings,  that  only  by  being  buried  with  Christ  in 
water,  by  baptism,  is  the  shedding  of  his  blood  avail- 
able to  man  for  the  remission  of  sins. 


Biilt. 

Luke  3.  3  John  preached  the  baptism  of  repentance,  for  the 
remission  of  sins. 

Acts  22.  16  arise  and  be  baptized  and  wash  away  your  sins. 

Eph,  5.  26  that  he  miglit  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  tlie  wash- 
ing of  water. 

Titus  0.  5  by  the  washing  of  regeneration. 

1  Peter  o.  21  the  lilce  figure  whereunto  even  baptism  doth  also 
now  save  us. 


Book  of  ^ormon. 

2  Nephi  31,  17  after  baptism  by  water,  cometh  the  remission  of 
sins. 


38  BAPTISM. 

Alma  7.  14  be  baptized  unto  repentance,  that  ye  may  be  washed 
from  your  sins. 

3  Nephi  1.  23  baptism  unto  repentance,  in  which  there  was  a 
remission  of  sins. 

7.  25  baptism  by  water,  a  witness  of  repentance  and  a  remis- 
sion of  sins. 

18.  30  the  sacrament  to  be  administered  only  to  those  who  have 
been  baptized. 

30.  2  come  to  me  and  be  baptized,  for  the  remission  of  sins. 

Moroni  8.  11  baptism  and  fulfilling  the  commandments  bring- 
eth  remission  of  sins. 


©ottrCitJe  anir  (S^olijeixantjef. 

Sec.  19.  81  Shalt  declare  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  by 
baptism  and  by  fire. 

55.  2  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  by  way  of  baptism. 

68.  27  children  to  be  baptized  for  remission  of  sins  when  e!i;lit 
years  old. 

76.  51,  52  baptism  and  remission  of  sins  necessary,  in  order  to 
come  forth  in  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

84.  27  the  Gospel  of  repentance,  and  of  baptism,  and  remis.'^ioii 
of  sins. 

74  those  not  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins  shall  be  damned. 

|Bli5uIIanjeou5  ^asjEfajjts. 

Matt.  3.  7  when  he  saw  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  come  to  his 
baptism. 

20.  22  are  ye  able  to  be  baptized  with  the  baptism  I  am  baptized 
with?    Mark  10.  39. 

21.  25  the  baptism  of  John,  was  it  from  heaven  or  of  men  ? 
Mark  11.  30.    Luke  20.  4. 

28.  19  go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them. 
Mark  1.  8  I,  indeed,  have  baptized  you  with  water. 
Luke  3.  7  said  he  to  the  multitude  that  came  to  be  baptizf>d  of 
him.  12. 

16  John  answered,  I  indeed  baptize  you  with  water,  21. 

7.  29  the  publicans  justified  God,  being  baptized  with  the  bap- 
tism of  John.  30. 

12.  50  I  have  a  baptism  to  be  baptized  with. 

John  1.  25  why  baptizest  thou,  if  thou  be  not  the  Christ? 

26  1  baptize  with  water,  but  there  standeth  one  among  you.  28. 

S3  he  that  sent  me  to  baptize  with  water,  said  to  me ; 

3.  22  there  he  tarried  with  them  and  baptized.  23. 

4.  1  that  Jesus  made  and  baptized  more  disciples  than  John. 
Acts  1.  5  John  baptized  with  water,  but  ye  shall  be  baptized 

with  the  Holy  Ghost.  22. 

2.  41  then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  baptized. 

8.  12  when  they  believed  Phil  ip  they  were  baptized,  both  men 
and  women.  13. 

16  as  yet  he  was  fallen  on  none  of  them,  only  they  were  bap- 
tized. 


BAPTISM.  39 

86  see,  here  Is  water,  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptized? 

9.  18  Saul  received  siijht  and  arose  and  was  baptized. 

10.  37  that  word  published  throughout  all  Judea,  after  the  bap- 
tism John  preached.  47. 

16.  15  Lydia,  when  she  was  baptized,  and  her  household,  be- 
sought us.  o:^. 

18.  8  many  of  the  Corinthians  believed  and  were  baptized.  25. 

1  Our.  1 .  13  or  were  ye  baptized  in  the  name  of  Paul  ?  14, 16, 17. 

12.  13  for  by  one  spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body. 

Gal.  3.  27  as  many  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ,  have  put 
on  Christ. 

Eph.  4.  5  one  Loj-d,  one  faith,  one  baptism. 

Heb.  6.  2  of  the  doctrine  of  baptism  and  laying  on  of  hands. 


Boofe  of  JHormon. 

1  Nepfd  10.  9  my  father  said,  he  should  baptize  in  Bethabary 
beyond  Jordan;  also,  that  he  should  baptize  the  Messiah  with 
water.  10. 

2  Nephi  31.  4  the  prophet  the  Lord  showed  me  should  baptize 
the  Lamb  of  God.  6—10,  13. 

14  if  ye  should  deny  me  after  being  baptized  with  water  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  better  if  ye  had  not  known  me. 

Mo8. 18.  10  what  have  you  against  being  baptized  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord? 

21.  33  many  desirous  of  being  baptized,  but  there  was  none 
having  authority.  35. 

25.  17, 18  Alma  baptized  the  people  of  Limhi. 

Alma  7.  15  baptism  a  witness  that  we  covenant  with  God  to 
keep  his  commandments. 

15.  13  Alma  consecrated  pnests  and  teachers,  to  baptize  unto 
the  Lord. 

19.  35  the  Lamanites  that  believed  were  baptized,  and  became 
a  righteous  people.  36. 

Mel.  16.  1  when  they  found  Nephi  they  desired  to  be  baptized.  3. 

3  Nephi  11.  21,  22  the  Lord  gave  Nephi,  and  others,  power  to 
baptize. 

12.  1  Jesus  called  twelve  and  gave  them  authority  to  baptize. 
19.  10—13  Nephi,  and  all  those  whom  Jesus  had  chosen,  were 
baptized. 

26.  17  the  disciples  whom  Jesus  liad  chosen  began  to  baptize  as 
many  as  came  to  them. 

27.  1  as  the  disciples  were  journeying  and  baptizing  in  the 
name  of  Jesus. 

28.  18  uniting  to  the  church  those  who  believed  on  their  preach- 
ing, baptizing  them. 

Mormon  7.  10  are  first  baptized  with  water,  following  the  exam- 
ple of  our  Savior. 

9.  29  see  that  ye  are  not  baptized  unworthily. 

Moroni  6.  1 — 4  explains  who  are  fit  subjects  for  baptism. 

8.  4—22  why  little  children  are  not  fit  subjects  for  baptism. 


40  BAPTISM. 

Sec.  18.  7  as  thou  hast  been  baptized  by  my  servant,  J.  Smith, 
Jim. 

20.  37  qualifications  necessaiy  for  baptism  and  reception  into 
the  church. 

38—58  duties  of  the  Priesthood  in  connection  with  baptism. 

68  duty  of  members  after  they  receive  baptism. 

22.  1,  2  old  covenants  of  no  avail;  necessary  to  be  baptized  to 
enter  the  new  covenant. 

39.  20  go  forth  baptizing  with  water,  preparing  the  way.  23. 

62.  10  let  them  go,  two  by  two,  baptizing  by  water  and  laying 
on  hands. 

13^1.  12  not  lawful  to  baptize  bond  servants,  without  consent  of 
their  masters. 

See  Testimonies  of  ancient  and  modern  a2dhors  in  relation 
to  baptism^  Mil,  Star^  VoL  2i^  pages  68j^  J2i,  y§4,  j68^  Soj, 
^33%  <^^d  Vol.  22^  pages  44,  142,  4gi. 

O.  Spencer* s  Letters  to  Rev.   Wm,  Crowel,  No  4* 

A  Pamphlet  by  O.  Pratt, 

History  of  y.  Smithy  Mar.  20,  1842* 

Mil,  Star^  Vol.  jj,  pages  6f ,  82. 

Article  by  N,  Williams,  Mil,  Star,  Vol.  41,  page  84, 


BAPTISM    FOR  THE   DEAD 

A  prominent  feature  in  the  plan  of  redemption  is 
the  vicarious  nature  of  the  labors  of  Christ,  and  his 
ministers,  for  the  salvation  of  men.  In  his  death  and 
resurrection,  Christ  did  that  for  men  which  they 
could  not  do  for  themselves.  In  all  dispensations  c^ 
the  Priesthood,  it  has  been  the  duty  of  those  officiat- 
ing in  its  ordinances  to  act  for  others,  when  they 
could  not  act  for  themselves. 

Under  the  Mosaic  law,  the  tribe  of  Levi  was  set 
apart,  to  make  it  the  special  business  of  their  lives, 
in  all  their  generations,  to  understand  its  ordinances 
and  ceremonies  that  they  might  be  capable  of  acting 
in  behalf  of  the  people,  who  were  engaged  in  the  or- 
dinary avocations  of  life.  This  labor  was  accepted 
by  the  Lord,  in  behalf  of  the  people,  as  though  they 
had  done  it  for  themselves. 


BAPTISM.  41 

The  ordinances  described  in  the  r6th  chap,  of 
Lev,^  which  the  High  Priest  was  required  to  perform 
as  an  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  house  of  Israel, 
clearly  illustrates  this  principle.  It  is  said  of  the 
scapegoat,  "And  Aaron  shall  lay  both  his  hands 
upon  the  head  of  the  live  goat,  and  confess  over  him 
all  the  iniquities  of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  all 
their  transgressions  in  all  their  sins,  putting  them 
upon  the  head  of  the  goat,  and  shall  send  him  away 
by  the  hand  of  a  fit  man  into  the  wilderness;  "  16.  21. 
This  confession  of  the  sins  of  the  people,  by  the 
High  Priest,  was  a  vicarious  work,  and  was  accepted 
by  the  Lord  as  though  they  had  confessed  their  own 
sins,  with  their  hands  upon  the  head  of  the  goat — a 
work  evidently  impracticable  for  them  to  do. 

The  vicarious  nature  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ 
are  clearly  foretold  in  the  prophetic  vision  of  Isaiah: 
"  Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our 
sorrows:  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of 
God,  and  afflicted.  But  he  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities:  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him;  and  with 
his  stripes  we  are  healed;  "  53.  4,  5.  The  same  pro- 
phet speaking  further  of  Christ  says,  that  he  should 
be  *'  For  a  covenant  of  the  people,  for  a  light  of  the 
Gentiles;  "  42.  6.  Evidently  referring  to  his  earthly 
mission  in  which  this  was  literally  fulfilled. 

At  the  time  when  this  should  take  place,  there 
was  another  labor  which  he  was  to  perform.  He  was 
"To  open  the  blind  eyes,  to  bring  out  the  prisoners 
from  the  prison,  and  then  that  sit  in  darkness  out  of 
the  prison  house;  "  verse  7.  This  passage  informs 
us  that  there  was  a  class  of  persons  who  were  con- 
fined in  a  dark,  benighted  prison,  who  were  to  be  de- 
livered when  Christ  should  be  "  For  a  covenant  of 
the  people,  for  a  light  of  the  Gentiles.** 

The  Apostle  Peter  informs  us  that  Jesus,  between 
his  death  and  resurrection,  when  his  spirit  was  free 
from  his  body,  went  and  preached  to  the  spirits  in 
prison.  "  For  Christ  also  hath  once  suflfered  for  sins, 
the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us  to  God, 
being  put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  quickened  by  the 


42  BAPTISM. 

Spirit:  By  which  also  he  went  and  preached  unto  the 
spirits  in  prison;  "  i  Pet,  3.  18,  19.  In  the  context 
he  informs  us  that  these  spirits  were  those,  of  the 
people,  who  were  disobedient  in  the  days  of  Noah. 

The  Apostle  Peter  had  no  narrow  views  of  the 
plan  of  salvation,  for  when  he  speaks  of  Christ  suf- 
fering, ^'the  just  for  the  unjust,"  he  makes  no  discrim- 
ination in  favor  of  the  living.  For  the  assertion  is 
sweeping  and  universal,  that  Christ  died  for  all;  else 
what  profit  could  there  be  in  Christ^s  preaching  to  the 
spirits  in  prison,  unless  the  way  was  opened  for  them 
to  receive  the  ordinances  and  blessings  of  the  Gos- 
pel, in  common  with  the  living? 

Peter  positively  informs  us  that  the  Gospel  was 
preached  to  the  dead,  and  the  reason  why,  '*  For,  for 
this  cause  was  the  Gospel  preached  also  to  them  that 
are  dead,  that  they  might  be  judged  according  to  men 
in  the  flesh,  but  live  according  to  God  in  the  spirit; " 
4.  6.  If  they  are  judged  according  to  men  in  the 
flesh,  it  would  evidently  be  unjust,  if  they  should  not 
have  the  benefit  of  all  the  ordinances  and  privileges 
that  pertain  to  the  living.  To  the  question.  How  can 
the  dead  receive  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel?  there 
can  be  but  one  answer — by  proxy;  by  the  vicarious 
works  of  the  living. 

Not  only  did  Peter  assert  that  the  Gospel  was 
preached  to  the  spirits  in  prison,  that  they  might  be 
judged  according  to  men  in  the  flesh,  but  the  Apostle 
Paul  informs  us  that  the  first  Gospel  ordinance,  of  all 
dispensations — baptism,  was  administered  by  proxy 
among  the  former-day  Saints. 

Speaking  of  the  resurrection,  he  asks  the  Corin- 
thian Saints,  "  Else  what  shall  they  do  which  are 
baptized  for  the  dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all?  why 
are  they  then  baptized  for  the  dead?  "  i  Cor.  15.  2^. 
That  is,  of  what  utility  are  baptisms  for  the  dead,  if 
there  is  no  resurrection?  This  doctrine  was  evident- 
ly neither  strange  nor  new  to  those  to  whom  the 
Apostles  were  writing. 

Paul  further  says,  "  For  to  this  end  Christ  both 
died,  and  rose,  and  revived,  that  he  might  be  Lord 
both  of  the  dead  and  living;"  Rom.   14.  9.      If  this 


BAPTISM.  43 

passage  asserts  anything,  it  is  that  Christ  died  for  the 
dead  as  well  as  the  living.  Again,  there  is  here  no 
discrimination  made  in  favor  of  the  living. 

Jesus  gave  some  light  on  this  subject,  when  talk- 
ing with  the  Jews  on  marrying  and  the  resurrection: 
**  Neither  can  they  die  any  more:  for  they  are  equal 
unto  the  angels;  and  are  the  children  of  God,  being 
the  children  of  the  resurrection.  *  *  *  For  he  is 
not  a  God  of  the  dead,  but  of  the  living:  for  all  live 
unto  him;"  Luke  lo,  36,38.  The  following  may  be 
inferred  from  these  passages:  that  notwithstanding 
men  die,  they  must  live  unto  God  through  the  resur- 
rection, and  as  myriads  have  died  without  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Gospel,  they  must  have  an  opportunity 
of  enjoying  its  blessings,  in  order  to  live  unto  God, 
after  they  have  come  forth  from  the  dead. 

The  prophet  Malachi,  in  vision,  saw  our  day,  over 
2200  years  ago.  In  the  closing  chapter  of  his  pro- 
phecy and  of  the  Old  Testament,  he  says,  "  For,  be- 
hold, the  day  cometh,  that  shall  burn  as  an  oven;  and 
all  the  proud,  yea,  and  all  that  do  wickedly,  shall  be 
stubble:  and  the  day  that  cometh  shall  burn  them  up, 
saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  that  it  shall  leave  them  nei- 
ther root  nor  branch;"  4.  i.  But  there  is  another 
important  event  to  take  place  before  that  day,  as  we 
learn  in  verses  5  &  6:  "  Behold,  I  will  send  you  Eli- 
jah the  prophet  before  the  coming  of  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord:  and  he  shall  turn  the  heart 
of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  heart  of  the 
children  to  their  fathers,  lest  I  come  and  smite  the 
earth  with  a  curse." 

Elijah's  coming  must  evidently  be  to  some  one 
who  is  prepared  to  receive  him,  and  to  labor  in  the 
great  work  he  is  sent  to  inaugurate,  for  the  expres- 
sion, **'He  shall  turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers  to  the 
children,  and  the  heart  of  the  children  to  their 
fathers,"  is  very  comprehensive.  It  does  not  discrim- 
inate between  the  living  and  the  dead,  between  the 
past  and  the  future.  It  pertains  to  the  whole  family 
of  Adam. 

Moroni,  the  heavenly  messenger  who  ministered 
to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  makes  the  universality  of  the 


44  BAPTISM. 

work  to  be  accomplished  still  plainer:  "And  he  shall 
plant  in  the  hearts  of  the  children,  the  promises 
made  to  the  fathers,  and  the  hearts  ot  the  children 
shall  turn  to  their  fathers;  if  it  were  not  so,  the 

whole  earlh  would  be  utterly  wasted  at  his  coming; '' 
P.  of  G,  P.,  p.  50. 

"It  is  suihcient  to  know,  in  this  case,  that  the  earth 
will  be  smitten  with  a  curse,  unless  there  is  a  weld- 
ing link  of  some  kind  or  other,  between  the  fathers 
and  the  children,  upon  some  subject  or  other,  and 
behold  what  is  that  subject?  It  is  the  baptism  for  the 
dead.  For  we  without  them  cannot  be  made  perfect; 
neither  can  they  without  us  be  made  perfect. 

"Neither  can  they  nor  we  be  made  perfect,  without 
those  who  have  died  in  the  Gospel  also;  for  it  is  ne- 
cessary in  the  ushering  in  of  the  dispensation  of  the 
fulness  of  times;  which  dispensation  is  now  begin- 
ning to  usher  in,  that  a  whole  and  complete  and  per- 
fect union,  and  welding  together  of  dispensations,  and 
keys,  and  powers,  and  glories  should  take  place,  and 
be  revealed  from  the  days  of  Adam  even  to  the  pres- 
ent time;  and  not  only  this,  but  those  things  which 
never  have  been  revealed  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  but  have  been  kept  hid  from  the  wise  and  pru- 
dent, shall  be  revealed  unto  babes  and  sucklings  in 
this  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times;  '^  Doc, 
b^  Cov.,  sec.  128.  18. 

The  time  came  for  Elijah  to  appear  and  fill  his 
great  and  glorious  mission.  The  place  was  prepared, 
and  the  men  were  there  who  had  the  faith  to  receive 
him,  and  the  authority  and  power  he  was  to  bring  to 
men  in  the  flesh,  to  administer  in  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel  for  the  dead. 

He  appeared  to  Joseph,  the  Seer,  and  O.  Cow- 
dery,  in  the  Kirtland  Temple,  April  3d,  1836,  and 
said,  "  Behold,  the  time  has  fully  come,  which  was 
spoken  of  by  the  mouth  of  Malachi,  testifying  that 
he  (Elijah)  should  be  sent  before  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord  com.e,  to  turn  the  hearts  of 
the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  children  to  the 
fathers,  lest  the  whole  earth  be  smitten  with  a  curse. 
Therefore   the  keys  of  this  dispensation  are  com- 


BAPTISM. 


45 


mitted  into  your  hands,  and  by  this  ye  may  know  that 
the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord  is  near,  even 
at  tlie  doors;  '^  Doc,  ^  Cov.,  sec.  no.  14,  15,  16. 

Ordinances  for  the  salvation  of  the  dead  require 
temples,  or  sacred  places  especially  constructed  for 
their  administration.  The  former-day  Saints  usually 
remained  in  the  same  scattered  condition  in  whicn 
they  received  the  Gospel.  For  these  reasons,  it  is 
probable  that  the  doctrines  pertaining  to  the  salva- 
tion of  the  dead  were  imperfectly  taught.  This  may 
account  for  so  little  being  said  in  tne  New  Testa- 
ment on  this  subject. 

The  prophet  Joseph  has  given  special  instructions 
3n  this  subject  in  sees,  127  &  128,  l)oc.  &^  Cov, 


See  Sertnon  by  B.   Younm^  y,  of  D,,  Vol,  3^  paj^e  362, 


y.  Smith, 

yos.   Young- ,     ••  " 

G.  Q,  Cannon,** 
y    Taylor,        " 
W.    Hoodnif,** 
O.  Pratt, 
B,  Young, 
History  of  y.  Smith,  Oct.    18,  1840. 
"       jz,  184T. 
Dec,  fj,  184 r, 
Mai  c ft  2y,  1842, 
Ap)  il  75,  1S42, 
yan,  21,  1S44. 
April  8,  1844, 
A^ay  12^  1844, 


6. 

16, 
18, 
18, 


226, 

310, 

284. 

263, 

41. 

235' 


i6  REiMISSION   OF    SINS. 


REMISSION   OF  SINS. 


This  subject  is  closely  connected  with  the  fall  of 
man  and  the  atonement  of  our  Savior.  The  fall  was 
brought  about  by  a  law  being  given  to  him,  in  the 
Garden  of  Ederi.  He  broke  that  law,  and  the  fall  was 
the  penalty  of  transgression. 

The  atonement  opens  up  the  way  for  the  removal 
of  that  penalty;  and  also  for  the  removal  of  the  ef- 
fects of  men's  individual  sins  through  repentance.  It 
is  through  obedience  to  certain  laws  and  ordinances, 
deriving  their  efficacy  from  the  atonement  of  Christ, 
that  men's  sins  are  remitted. 

Man,  in  his  weak  and  fallen  state,  is  ever  prone  to 
sin.  God,  in  his  great  love  and  mercy,  has  provided 
a  way  through  which  his  sins  may  be  forgiven. 
Besides  the  outward  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  there 
are  three  general  conditions  which  the  sinner  must 
fulfil,  in  order  to  have  his  sins  remitted.  He  must 
confess  them  and  ask  forgiveness;  Doc.  ^  Cov.y 
64.  7.  He  must  forgive  others  of  their  trespasses. 
Christ  taught  his  disciples,  "  For  if  ye  forgive  men 
their  trespasses,  your  Heavenly  Father  will  also  for- 
give you:  but  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses, 
neither  will  your  Heavenly  Father  forgive  your  tres- 
passes;" Matt.  6.  14,  15. 

The  Lord  said  to  his  prophet  Joseph,  **Ye  ought 
to  forgive  one  another,  for  he  that  forgiveth  not  his 
brother  his  trespasses,  standeth  condemned  before 
the  Lord,  for  there  remaineth  in  him  the  greater 
sin;"  Doc.  ^  Lov  ^  64.  9.  The  third  condition  is, 
men  must  continually  bear  in  mind  the  atonement  of 
Christ.  The  Nephite  Saints  continually  looked  for- 
ward to  the  atonement  of  Christ,  **  Thus  retaining  a 
remission  of  iheir  sins;  "  Alma  4.  13,  14.     We  are 


REMISSION   OF    SINS.  47 

often  taught  in  the  sacred  writings  to  make  our  sup- 
plications to  the  Father,  in  the  name  of  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  who  has  become  a  propitiation  for  sin. 
The  works  necessary  to  attain  to  a  remission  of  sins, 
and  the  results  of  that  remission,  are  well  expressed 
by  the  Nephite  prophet,  Moroni: 

**  And  the  first  fruits  of  repentance  is  baptism ; 
and  baptism  cometh  by  faith,  unto  the  fulfilling  the 
commandments;  and  the  fulfilling  the  command- 
ments bringeth  remission  of  sins;  and  the  remission 
of  sins  bringeth  meekness,  and  lowliness  of  heart, 
and  because  of  meekness  and  lowliness  of  heart, 
cometh  the  visitation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  Com- 
forter filleth  with  hope  and  perfect  love,  which  love 
endureth  by  diligence  unto  prayer,  until  the  end  shall 
come,  when  all  the  Saints  shall  dwell  with  God;  " 
Moroni  8.  25,  26. 

Exo.  23.  21  provoke  him  not,  for  he  wUl  not  pardon  your  trans- 
gresgions, 

32,  32  Moses  said,  yet  now  if  thou  wilt  forgive  their  sin, 

34.  7  forgiving  transgression  and  sin,  and  that  will  by  no 
means  clear  the  guilty. 

JoBh.  24.  19  is  a  holy  a  jealous  God,  he  will  not  foi^ive  your 
sins. 

1  KingB  8.  30  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  when  thou  hearest  for- 
give. 

2  Chron.  7.  14  then  will  I  hear  from  heaven  and  will  forgive 
their  sin. 

Neh.  9.  17  tliou  art  a  God  ready  to  pardon,  slow  to  anger. 

Psalm  82.  1  blessed  is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven,  whose 
sin  is  covered   Rom.  4.  7. 

86.  5  for  thou,  Lord,  art  good  and  ready  to  forgive. 

103.  3  who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities,  who  healeth  all  thy 
diseases. 

130.  4  but  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee  that  thou  mayest  be 
feared. 

Jer,  31.  34  for  I  will  forgive  their  iniquitv  and  remember  their 
sin  no  more. 

Dan.  9.  9  to  the  Lord  belong  mercies  and  forgiveness.  19. 

Mic.  7.  18  who  is  a  God  like  unto  thee  that  pardoneth  iniquity. 

Matt.  6.  12  forgive  us  our  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debtors.  Luke 
11.4. 

9.  2  son,  be  of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee. 

18.  21  how  oft  shall  my  brother  sin  against  me  and  I  forgive 
him? 

35  if  ye  forgive  not  every  one  his  brother  ^elr  trespasses. 


48  REMISSION    OF   SINS. 

Mark  2.  7  who  can  forgive  sins  but  God  only? 

11.  25  forgive,  that  your  Father  in  heaven  may  forgive  you. 

Luke  6.  37  condemn  not;  forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  forgiven. 

17.  3,  4  if  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee  seven  times. 

23.  34  Jesus  said,  Father,  forgi^'e  them  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do. 

John  20.  23  whosesoever  sins  ye  remit  they  are  remitted. 

Acts  26.  18  turn  them  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,  that 
they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins. 

EpJi.  4.  32  forgiving  one  another  as  God  hath  forgiven  you. 

Hd).  9.  22  without  shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  remission. 

1  John  2. 12  because  your  sins  are  forgiven,  for  his  name's  sake 

Book  of  ;|S[ormon. 

Mos.  26.  30  as  often  as  my  people  repent  will  I  forgive  them.  31. 
Moroni  10.  33  shedding  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  which  is  in  the 
covenant  of  the  Father  unto  the  remission  of  your  sins. 

Sec.  62.  3  angels  rejoice  over  you  and  your  sins  are  forgiven. 

64.  7  I  the  Lord  forgive  sins  unto  those  who  confess  tneir  sins 
before  me. 

8  the  former-day  disciples  were  afflicted  because  they  forgave 
not  one  another.  9. 

10  I  forgive  whom  I  will,  but  of  you  it  is  required  to  forgive  all 
men. 

82.  1  inasmuch  as  you  have  forgiven  one  another,  so  I  the 
Lord  forgive  you. 

110.  5  your  sins  are  forgiven  you:  you  are  clean  before  me. 


LAYING   ON    OF    HANDS.  49 


LAYING  ON  OF  HANDS. 


FOR   ORDINATION. 


Ordinations  to  offices  in  the  holy  Priesthood  are 
sometimes  mentioned  in  both  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments, when  it  is  not  stated  in  the  context  that  it 
was  by  the  imposition  of  hands.  The  apostle  Paul 
exhorted  Timothy,  ^*  Neglect  not  the  gift  that  is  in 
thee,  which  was  given  thee  by  prophecy,  with  the 
laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery;  "  i  Ti?n.^, 
14.  The  inference  is  reasonable,  that  Paul  here  re- 
fers to  an  ordination  to  some  office  in  the  Priesthood. 

Paul  again  said  to  Timoth}^,  "  Stir  up  the  gift  of 
God,  which  is  in  thee  by  the  putting  on  of  my 
hands;  "  2  Thn,  i.  6. 

The  Lord  revealed  to  Joseph  the  prophet,  that  the 
Priesthood  descended  from  Adam  to  Noah  under  the 

HANDS   OF   THE   FATHERS;    DoC  (2r*    Cov,  lOJ .  40— 52. 

We  are  further  informed  that  '^  Abraham  received 
the  Priesthood  from  Melchisedek,  who  received  it 
through  the  lineage  of  his  fathers,  even  till  Noah ; " 
84.  14.  Esaias,  who  lived  in  the  days  of  Abraham, 
"  received  it  under  the  hands  of  God;  "  from  him  it 
descended  under  the  hands  of  the  fathers  to  Moses ; 
6—13. 

In  this  dispensation  all  the  offices  and  authority  of 
the  Priesthood  are  conferred  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands.  The  first  ordination  to  the  Priesthood,  in 
this  dispensation,  was  under  the  hands  of  John  the 
Baptist;  Doc.  (2r»  Cov.,  sec.  i  ^.  The  angel,  John  the 
Baptist,  commanded  Joseph  Smith  and  O.  Cowdery 
to  baptize  each  other.  The  prophet  says:  ''Accord- 
ingly we  went  and  were  bapti/.ed,  1  baptized  him  first, 
and  afterwards  he  baptized  me,  afier  which  I  laicj 
4 


«;0  LAYING   ON   OF    HANDS. 

my  hands  upon  his  head  and  ordained  him  to  the 
Aaronic  Priesthood,  afterwards  he  laid  his  hands 
on  me  and  ordained  me  to  the  same  Priesthood—for 
Ko  were  we  commanded;  "  His,  of  J.  Siniih,  May  ic, 
1829. 

The  same  order  as  was  observed  in  the  ordination 
to  the  Aaronic  Priesthood,  was  also  observed  by 
Joseph  Smith  and  O.  Cowderyin  their  ordination  to 
the  Melchisedek  Priesthood;  L>oc\  &>  Cov.  20.  3,4. 
sec,  21.  10 — 12. 


FOR  THE  GIFT  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST. 

The  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  reception  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  characterized  the  primitive  Gospel  dis- 
pensation, as  recorded  in  the  New  Testament.  Peter 
and  John  laid  their  hands  on  the  people  of  Samaria, 
who  had  been  baptized,  and  they  received  the  Holy 
Ghost;  Ac^s  8.  17. 

Ananias  laid  hands  on  Saul,  by  special  command- 
ment, before  he  was  baptized,  that  he  might  receive 
his  sight  and  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost;  9.  17. 

Paul  found  some  people  at  Ephesus,  that  claimed 
to  be  disciples  of  John  the  Baptist,  who  had  not  even 
heard  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  When  he  had  baptized 
them,  "and  when  he  had  laid  his  hands  upon  them,  the 
Holy  Ghost  came  on  them;  and  they  spake  with 
tongues  and  prophesied;"  19.  2 — 6. 

The  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  reception  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  cnaracterized  both  the  Mosaic  and  Gos- 
pel dispensations  among  the  Nephites.  "Now  it 
came  to  pass  that  when  Alma  had  said  these  words, 
that  he  clapped  his  hands  upon  all  them  who  were 
with  him.  And  behold,  as  he  clapped  his  hands  upon 
them,  they  were  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit;  "  Ah/ia 
3F.36.  We  are  informed  that  tlie  NejDliiles,  at  this 
lime,  were  very  strict  in  observing  the  ordinances  of 
God  according  to  the  law  of  Moses;  30.  3. 

When  our  Savior  organized  the  Council  of  'i'welve 


LAYING  ON   OF    HANDS.  5I 

Apostles  among  the  Nephites,  he  touched  them  with 
his  hand  and  ^ave  them  power  to  give  the  Holy 
Ghost.  **And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had 
made  an  end  of  these  sayings,  he  touched  with  his 
hand  the  disciples  whom  he  had  chosen,  one  by  one, 
even  until  he  had  touched  them  all,  and  spake  unto 
them  as  he  touched  them;  and  the  multitude  heard 
not  the  words  which  he  spake,  therefore  they  did  not 
bear  record ;  but  the  disciples  bear  record  that  he 
gave  them  power  to  give  the  Holy  Ghost; "  3  Nephi 
18.  36,  37- 

The  Apostles  of  this  dispensation  are  especially 
instructed  to  lay  hands  on  those  who  have  been  bap- 
tized into  the  church,  "  For  the  baptism  of  fire  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to  the  scriptures;"  Doc, 
(Sr*  Cov.  20.  41. 

When  the  few  who  had  received  the  Gospel  first 
met  to  organize  the  church,  the  prophet  Joseph  laid 
his  hands  on  O.  Cowdery  and  ordained  him  an  elder 
in  the  church,  after  which  O.  Cowdery  ordained  the 
prophet  Joseph  to  the  same  office.  They  then  ad- 
ministered the  sacrament  to  the  Saints.  Afterwards 
they  laid  their  hands  ^^  on  each  individual  member  of 
the  church  present,  that  they  might  receive  the  gift  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  be  confirmed  members  of  the 
Chinch  of  Christ;  "  Hts.  of  J.  Smith,  Aprils,  1830. 
This  was  the  first  time  in  this  dispensation  that 
hands  were  publicly  laid  on  for  the  bestowal  of  the 
Holy  Ghosl,  and  for  confirmation. 


FOR  HEALING  THE  SICK. 

Jesus  Christ  has  left  us  his  example  for  laying 
hands  on  the  sick,  that  they  might  be  healed.  He 
touched  the  hand  of  Peter's  wife's  mother,  and  the 
fever  left  her;  Matt.  8.  i:;.  *'He  laid  his  hands  upon 
a  few  sick  folk,  and  healed  them;  "  Mark  6.  5. 

About  the  close  of  his  earthly  mission,  Jesus  said 


52  LAYING  ON  OF   HANDS. 

to  his  disciples,  ^^Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature;"  and  promised  them 
that  if  they  would  lay  hands  on  the  sick,  they  should 
recover;  i6.  15,  18. 

"  By  the  hands  of  the  apostles  were  many  signs 
and  wonders  wrought  among  the  people;"  Acts 
5..  12. 

The  Lord,  through  his  prophet,  Joseph,  has  com- 
manded his  people  to  administer  to  the  sick  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands.  **And  whosoever  among  you  are 
sick,  and  have  not  faith  to  be  healed,  but  believe, 
shall  be  nursed  with  all  tenderness,  with  herbs  and 
mild  food,  and  that  not  by  the  hand  of  an  enemy. 
And  the  elders  of  the  church,  two  or  more,  shall  be 
called,  and  shall  pray  for  and  lay  their  hands  upon 
them  in  my  name;  and  if  they  die  they  shall  die  unto 
me,  and  if  they  live  they  shall  live  unto  me;"  Doc, 
(St*  Cov.,  42.  43,  44. 

The  ordinance  of  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  be- 
stowal of  authority,  power  and  blessing  has  charac- 
terized all  the  dispensations  of  the  holy  Priesthood, 
But  it  does  not  necessarily  follow  that  the  Creator 
may  not  bestow  these  favors  in  other  ways. 

Before  the  iflood,  the  Lord  said  to  Enoch,  "Anoint 
thine  eyes  with  clay,  and  wash  them,  and  thou  shalt 
see;  "and  the  spiritual  creations  were  opened  to  his 
vision;  P.  of  G.  P.,  p.  i^. 

Naaman^  the  Syrian,  was  cleansed  of  his  leprosy 
by  washing  seven  times  in  Jordan ;  2  Kings  5.  10 — 14. 

The  blind  man,  after  Jesus  had  anointed  his  eyes 
with  clay,  received  his  sight  by  washing  them  in  the 
pool  of  Siloam;  yokn  9.  7.  Contrary  to  the  usual 
custom,  Ananias  laid  hands  on  Saul,  before  he  was 
baptized,  that  he  might  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 
Acts  9.  17. 


milt. 

Num.  27.  18  take  thee  Joshua,  ihe  son  of  Nun.  and  lay  thine 
hand  upon  him. 

2  Kings  5.  11  I  thougbt  he  would  strike  his  hand  over  the 
place. 


THE  RESURRECTION.  53 

Mark  7.  33  put  his  finger  into  his  ears,  and  touched  his  tongue. 
8.  23  he  took  the  blind  man  and  put  his  hands  on  him.  25, 
^c/!.s- !.  3)  stretching   iorth  thy  hand  to  heal,   that  signs  and 
wonders  be  done. 

14.  3  granted  signs  and  wonders  to  be  done  by  their  handn. 

l3octrint  anir  ^ohnxtints. 

Sec.  20.  68  teachers  and  deacons  have  no  authority  to  lay  on 
liands. 

2').  8  by  his  hands  you  shall  receive  the  Holy  Ghost. 

33.  15  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  I  will  bestow  the  Holy  Ghost. 

3(i.  2  will  lay  my  hands  upon  you,  by  the  hand  of  my  servant. 

39.  23  by  your  hands  they  shall  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
know  me. 

42.  4:^,  44  the  elders  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick. 

4.9.  14  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  by  the  laying  on  of  hands.  Sec. 
62.  10.    Sec.  53.  3.    Sec.  55.  1. 

66.  9  lay  your  hands  upon  the  sick  and  they  shall  recover. 

68.  25  children  should  be  taught  baptism,  and  the  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  by  laying  on  hands. 

27  and  their  children  shall  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of 
their  sins  when  eight  years  old,  and  receive  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands. 


See  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  j,  page  59. 
History  of  J,  Smith,  March  20,  1842, 


THE  RESURRECTION. 


What  little  knowledge  we  have  of  this  doctrine 
we  have  received  from  Jesus  Christ,  the  author  of  it, 
and  from  those  whom  he  has  sent  to  teach  mankind. 
From  these  we  learn  that  a  resurrection  has  occurred, 
and  that  there  will  be  others  at  different  periods  of 
time,  as  well  as  under  different  circumstances. 

The  resurrection  is  predicated  on  the  death  or  dis- 
solution of  the  earth,  and  all  organizations  pertain- 


54  RESURRECTION. 

ing  to  it.  As  the  fall  of  Adam  brought  death  or 
dissolution,  so  the  death  and  resurrection  of  Christ 
will  bring  to  pass  a  restoration  to  life,  of  all  crea- 
tures that  have  been  affected  by  the  fall. 


AT  CHRIST'S   RESURRECTION. 


That  Christ  well  understood  the  great  object  of 
his  earthly  mission,  is  evident  from  many  of  his  say- 
ings previous  to  his  death  and  resurrection.  Early 
in  his  ministry  he  said  to  Nicodemus,  "As  Moses 
lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness,  even  so  must 
the  Son  of  Man  be  lifted  up:  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  eternal 
life;  "  Johji  3.  14,  15. 

On  another  occasion  Jesus  s^id  to  Martha  the 
sister  of  Lazarus,  *'I  am  the  resurrection,  and  the 
life:  he  that  believeth  on  me,  though  he  were  dead, 
yet  shall  he  live;  "  John  11.  25.  At  another  time,  in 
talking  with  the  Pharisees,  he  said,  **  Therefore  doth 
my  Father  love  me,  because  I  lay  down  my  life, 
that  I  might  take  it  again.  No  man  taketh  it  from 
me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to 
lay  it  down,  and  to  take  it  up  again;"  yohti  10.  17,  18. 
We  are  informed  that  one  resurrection  has  already 
taken  place,  and  that  it  occurred  at  the  resurrection 
of  our  Savior.  "And  the  graves  were  opened;  and 
many  bodies  of  the  Saints  which  slept  arose,  and  came 
out  of  the  graves  after  his  resurrection,  and  went 
into  the  holy  city,  and  appeared  unto  many;"  Matt, 
V'  52,  53. 

The  following  indicates  that  the  prophet  Isaiah 
had  a  prophetic  glimpse  of  this  resurrection;  "  Thy 
dead  7nen  shall  live,  too^ether  with  my  dead  body  shall 
they  arise.  Awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  dust: 
for  thy  dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs,  and  the  earth 
shall  cast  out  the  dead;  "  Isa.  26.  19. 

It  would  appear  that  the  Psalmist,  David,  looked 
forward  for  redemption  from  the  dead,  at  the 
resurrection  of  Christ.     "My   Hesh  also  shall  rest  in 


RESURRECTION.  55 

hope.  For  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell; 
neither  wilt  thou  sutter  thine  Holy  One  to  see  corrup- 
tion;" Psalm    16.  9,  10. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  is  much  more  definite 
and  comprehensive  on  this  subject  than  the  Bible. 
'*And  there  cometh  a  resurrection,  even  a  first  resur- 
rection; yea,  even  a  resurrection  of  those  that  have 
been,  and  who  are,  and  who  shall  be,  even  until  the 
resurrection  of  Christ:  for  so  shall  he  be  called. 
And  now,  the  resurrection  of  all  the  prophets,  and 
all  those  that  have  believed  in  their  words,  or  all 
those  that  have  kept  the  commandments  of  God, 
shall  come  forth  in  the  first  resurrection;  therefore, 
they  are   the  first    resurrection         *  *  * 

And  these  are  those  who  have  part  in  'the  first 
resurrection;  and  these  are  they  that  have  died  be- 
fore Christ  came  in  their  ignorance,  not  having 
salvation  declared  unto  them.  And  thus  the  Lord 
bringeth  about  the  restoration  of  these;  and  they 
have  a  part  in  the  first  resurrection,  or  have  eternal 
life,  being  redeemed  by  the  Lord.  And  little  children 
also  have  eternal  life;'"  Mos.  15.  21 — 25. 

This  declaration  of  the  prophet-king,  Mosiah, 
was  made  about  100  B.  C.  Alma,  who  lived  and 
prophesied  a  few  years  later,  says,  *'And  behold, 
again  it  hath  been  spoken,  that  there  is  a  first  resur- 
rection ;  a  resurrection  of  all  those  who  have  been,  or 
who  are,  or  who  shall  be,  down  to  the  resurrection  of 
Christ  from  the  dead ;  "     Alma  40.  16. 

From  these  passages  quoted  from  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon, and  their  contexts,  it  is  evident  that  the  Nephite 
Saints  looked  forward  to  the  resurrection  of  Christ 
from  the  dead,  for  their  deliverance  from  the  grave, 
with  the  *ame  assurance  that  the  Latter-day  Saints 
anticipate  their  resurrection  at  his  second  coming. 

By  way  of  explanation,  the  prophet  Alma  adds, 
**  The  resurrection  meaneth  the  re-uniting  of  the 
soul  with  the  body  of  those  from  the  days  of  Adam, 
down  to  the  resurrection  of  Christ;"     40.  18,  19. 

The  Lamanite  prophet,  Samuel,  speaking  of  the 
resurrection  of  Christ,  says,  *v\.nd  many  graves  shall 
be  opened,  and  shall  yield  up  many  of  their  dead; 


56  RESURRECTION. 

and  many  Saints  shall  appear  unto  many;"  HeL 
14.  25.  During  Christ's  ministry  amon^  the  Nephites, 
his  disciples  testified  that  this  prophecy  was  ful- 
filled; ^  Nephi  2^.  10. 

Job  19.  25  for  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he 
shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth. 

Matt.  17.  9  until  the  Son  of  Man  be  risen  from  the  dead.  Mark  9. 9. 

27.  ()4  and  the  people  say  he  is  risen  from  the  dead. 

28.  6  he  is  not  here,  for  he  is  risen  as  he  said.    Mark  16. 6, 9, 14. 
Luke2i.  34  the  Lord  is  risen,  indeed,  and  hath  appeared  to 

Simon. 

John  2.  19—21  destroy  this  temple  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise 
it  up. 

5.  25  the  hour  is  coming,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear 
the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God. 

26  the  Father  gave  to  the  Son  to  have  life  in  himself. 

8.  28  when  ye  have  lifted  up  the  Son  of  Man,  then  shall  ye 
know  that  I  am  he. 

12.  32  if  I  be  lifted  up  I  will  draw  all  men  to  me. 

Acts  1.  22  must  one  be  ordained  to  be  a  witness  of  his  resurrec- 
tion. 

2.  31  David  spake  of  the  resurrection  of  Christ  32. 

26.  23  that  he  should  be  the  first  that  should  rise  from  the  dead. 

Mom.  8.  34  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

14.  9  died  and  rose  that  he  might  be  Lord  of  the  dead  and 
living. 

Col.  1.  18  who  is  the  beginning,  the  first  born  from  the  dead. 

Eev,  1.  18  I  am  he  that  liveth  and  was  dead. 


Boofe  of  Iffiormott. 

2  Nephi  2.  8,  9  he  layeth  down  his  life  and  taketh  it  again,  that 
he  may  bring  to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,    iib.«.  13.  35. 

Mos.  16.  9  he  is  a  life  that  is  endless,  that  there  can  be  no  more 
death.  10. 

3  Nephi  6.  20  testifying  of  the  death  of  Christ  and  of  his  resur- 
rection, in  all  the  land. 

Sec.  18.  12  he  hath  risen  from  the  dead,  that  he  might  bring  all 
men  to  him. 

^tzxl  Hi  (Kxjeat  ^rue. 

Page 21.  the  Saints  arose  at  the  resurrection  of  Christ.    The 
spirits  that  were  in  prison  came  forth. 


RESURRECTION.  $7 


AT  THE   SECOND   COMING  OF   CHRIST. 

Those  who  have  h'ved  and  died  since  the  resur- 
rection of  Christ,  in  the  hope  of  a  resurrection  from  the 
dead,  are  looking  forward  to  the  time  of  his  coming, 
in  the  latter  days,  for  their  redemption  from  the 
grave.  **  Even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus 
will  God  bring  with  him.  For  this  we  say  unto  you 
by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we  which  are  alive  and 
remain  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord  shall  not  prevent 
them  which  are  asleep.  For  the  Lord  himself  shall 
descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of 
the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of  God:  and  the 
dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first:  Then  we  which  are 
alive  and  remain  shall  be  caught  up  together  with 
them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air;  "  i 
Thess,  4.  14 — 17. 

Christ  said  to  his  Nephite  disciples  who  were  to 
remain  until  his  coming,  *'  When  I  shall  come  in  my 
glory,  ye  shall  be  changed  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye 
from  mortality  to  immortality; "     3  Nephi  28.  8. 

The  Lord  said  to  Joseph  Smith,  the  Seer,  *'  Be- 
hold, 1  will  come;  and  they  shall  see  me  in  the 
clouds  of  heaven,  clothed  with  power  and  great 
glory,  with  all  the  holy  angels;  and  he  that 
watches  not  for  me  shall  be  cut  off;        *  * 

and   the    Saints  that    have    slept  shall   come   forth 
to  meet  me  in  the  cloud;  "     Doc.  &^  Cov.,  45.  44,  45. 

We  have  seen  by  previous  reference  to  the  Book 
of  Mo^'mon,  that  the  heathen  nations,  and  those  who 
knew  no  law,  should  be  resurrected  when  Christ 
arose  from  the  dead.  The  Lord  revealed  to  Joseph, 
the  Seer,  that  this  should  also  take  place  when  he 
comes  in  his  glory.  "And  then  shall  the  heathen 
nations  be  redeemed,  and  they  that  knew  no  law 
shall  have  part  in  the  first  resurrection; ''  verse  54. 

The  Lord  gave  Joseph,  the  Seer,  a  further  des- 
cription of  this  glorious  event.  **And  immediately 
after  shall  the  curtain  of  heaven  be  unfolded,  as  a 


58  RESURRECTION. 

scroll  is  unfolded  after  it  is  rolled  up,  and  the  face 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  unveiled;  and  the  Saints  that 
are  upon  the  earth,  who  are  alive,  shall  be  quickened, 
and  be  caught  up  to  meet  him.  And  they  who  have 
slept  in  their  graves  shall  come  forth;  for  their 
graves  shall  be  opened,  and  they  also  shall  be  caught 
up  to  meet  him  in  the  midst  of  the  pillar  of  heaven: 
They  are  Christ's,  the  first  fruits:  they  who  shall 
descend  with  him  first,  and  they  who  are  on  the  earth 
and  in  their  graves,  who  are  first  caught  up  to  meet 
him;"     88.95—98. 

Then  comes  the  redemption  of  those  who  have 
received  their  part  in  that  prison  that  is  prepared 
for  them;  verse  99.  ''Then  cometh  the  spirits  of 
men  who  are  to  be  judged,  and  are  found  under  con- 
demnation; and  these  are  the  rest  of  the  dead,  and 
they  live  not  again  until  the  thousand  years  are 
ended,  neither  again,  until  the  end  of  the  earth;" 
verses  100  and  loi.  These  appear  to  be  the  only  ones 
of  the  family  of  man  whose  bodies  remain  in  their 
graves  until  the  last  resurrection.- 

Dan.  12.  2  many  of  them  tha  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the  earth 
shall  awake. 

Luke  14.  14  for  thou  shalt  be  recompensed  at  the  resurrection 
of  the  just. 

Refo.  11.  18  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should  be  judged. 

20.  5,  6  blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  has  'part  in  the  first  resur 
rection. 

8ec.  29.  13  the  dead  who  have  died  in  Christ  shall  come  forth. 

63,  18  they  shall  not  have  part  in  the  first  resurrection.  49,  51. 

76.  50 — 70  concerning  those  who  shall  come  forth  in  the  resur- 
rection of  the  just, 

71—80  concerning  those  of  the  terrestrial  world  who  shall  rise 
in  the  first  resurrection. 

88.  100  then  cometh  the  spirits  of  men  who  are  still  under 
condemnation 


KE5URRECTION.  ^9 


RESURRECTION  AT  THE  END  OF  THE  WORLD. 


John,  the  Revelator,  has  left  us  a  short  descrip- 
tion of  this  resurrection,  and  of  the  judgment  con- 
nected with  it.  *  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and 
great,  stand  before  God;  and  the  books  were 
opened:  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the 
book  of  life:  and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those 
things  which  were  written  in  the  books,  according  to 
their  works.  And  the.  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which 
were  in  it;  and  death  and  hell  delivered  up  the 
dead  which  were  in  them;  and  they  were  judged 
every  man  according  to  their  works;"  Rev,  20. 
12,  13. 

At  that  time,  the  earth,  having  filled  the  measure 
of  its  creation,  in  this  order  of  things,  will  undergo 
a  change  that  will  fit  it  for  the  residence  of  exalted, 
celestial  beings;  "And  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a 
new  earth:  for  the  first  heaven  and  the  first  earth 
were  passed  away;  "    21.  i. 

The  Book  of  Mormon,  also  gives  some  account 
of  this  final  resurrection;  "And  they  shall  come 
forth,  both  small  and  great,  and  all  shall  stand  before 
his  bar,  being  redeemed  and  loosed  from  the  eternal 
band  of  death;"  Mormon  9.  13. 

The  Jaredite  prophet,  Ether,  who  lived  on  the 
American  continent  600  years  before  the  Savior  was 
born,  predicted  this  great  change  in  the  earth;  "And 
there  shall  be  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth;  and 
they  shall  be  like  unto  the  old,  save  the  old  have 
passed  away,  and  all  things  shall  become  new;" 
Ether  13.  9. 

Joseph,  the  Seer  of  the  present  dispensation,  has 
given  us  a  more  comprehensive  view  of  this  subject 
than  has  come  down  from  other  dispensations;  *'And 
the  end  shall  come,  and  the  heaven  and  the  earth 
shall  be  consumed  and  pass  away,  and  there  shall  be 
a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth,  for  all  old  things  shall 
pass  away,  and  all  things  shall  become  new,  even  the 


OO  RESURRECTION. 

heaven  and  the  earth,  and  all  the  fulness  thereof, 
both  men  and  beasts,  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  the 
fishes  of  the  sea;  and  not  one  hair,  neither  mote, 
shall  be  lost;"  Doc.  &^  Cov.,  29.  23—25. 

Both  the  wicked  and  the  righteous  will  be  resur- 
rected; verses  26,  2y .  That  the  final  change  in  the 
earth  will  be  equivalent  to  a  resurrection  is  evident 
from  the  following:  '-Wherefore  it  shall  be  sanctified; 
yea,  notwithstanding  it  shall  die,  it  shall  be  quick- 
ened again,  and  shall  abide  the  power  by  which  it  is 
quickened;"  88.  26. 

Matt.  25.  32  all  nations  to  be  gathered  before  the  Son  of  Man. 
Rev.  20.  15  those  not  found  written  in  the  book  of  life,  were 
cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

8  the  wicked  had  their  part  in  the  lake  of  fire. 
22.  11  hethat  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still.  12. 
15  without  are  dogs,  sorcerers  and  whoremongers. 

Book  of  i$tormon. 

3  Nephi  26.  4  when  all  T)eople  and  nations  shall  stand  before 
God. 

Mormon  9.  2  when  the  earth  shall  be  rolled  together  as  a  scroll, 
when  ye  shall  be  brought  to  stand  before  the  Lamb  of  God. 

13  when  all,  both  small  and  great,  shall  be  loosed  from  the 
bands  of  death. 

Ether  4.  19  he  that  is  faithful  at  the  last  day  shall  be  lifted  up. 

5.  6  when  we  shall  stand  before  God  at  the  last  day. 

Sec.  76.  39  for  all  the  rest  shall  be  brought  forth  by  the  resur- 
rection of  the  dead. 

81—89  concerning  those  of  the  telestial  world  who  will  come 
forth  in  the  last  resurrection. 


RESURRECTION   OF  THE  BODY  THAT  IS  LAID  DOWN. 


When  Job   said,  '*  Though  after  my  skin  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God;  " 


RESURRECTION.  6l 

19.  26;  it  is  e\ndent  that  he  believed  that  though  his 
body  should  be  disorganized,  yet,  in  his  own  flesh, 
and  not  in  that  of  another,  he  should  see  God.  As  if 
to  confirm  his  assertion,  he  further  adds,  *'  Whom  I 
shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and 
not  another;"  verse  27. 

A  literal  resurrection  was  manifested  to  Ezekiel  in 
his  vision  of  the  resurrection  of  the  house  of  Israel; 
37.  I— 14. 

When  Herod  the  tetrarch  heard  of  the  fame  of 
Jesus,  and  said,  "This  is  John  the  Baptist;  he  is 
risen  from  the  dead;  "  Matt.  14.  i,  2;  he  probably,  in 
common  with  the  Jews,  believed  in  a  literal  resurrec- 
tion. 

Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Behold  my  hands  and 
my  feet,  that  it  is  I  myself:  handle  me,  and  see ;  for 
a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  bones,  as  ye  see  me  have ;  " 
Luke  24.  39;  John  20.  27;  Acts  10.  41.  "He  that 
raised  up  Christ  from  the  dead  shall  also  quicken 
vour  mortal  bodies;"  Rom.  2>.  ii.  That  is,  their 
bodies  that  died,  and  not  some  other  bodies. 

The  apostle  Paul  gives  us  some  light  on  this  sub- 
ject: "  But  some  man  will  say,  How  are  the  dead 
raised?  and  with  what  body  do  they  come.^*  Thou 
fool,  that  which  thou  sowest  is  not  quickened,  except 
it  die;         *  *         thou  sowest  not  that  body  that 

shall  be.  *  *  But  God  giveth  it  a  body  as  it 
hath  pleased  him,  and  to  every  seed  his  own  body. 
All  flesh  is  not  the  same  fiesh:  but  there  is  one  kind 
of  flesh  of  men,  another  flesh  of  beasts,  another  of 
fishes,  and  another  of  birds;  "  i  Cor,  15.  35 — 39. 

The  apostle  evidently  considers  the  old  body  the 
germ  of  a  new  body,  which  will  be  like  the  old,  but 
a  new  growth,  even  as  new  grain  is  produced  from 
that  which  is  sown. 

It  is  also  evident  that  the  apostle  considered  it 
impossible  for  one  kind  of  flesh  lo  mingle  with  an- 
other in  the  resurrection,  as  they  widely  differ,  from 
different  combinations  of  the  elements,  in  their  organ- 
ization. As  well  might  we  expect  the  different  grades 
of  spiritual  organizations,  to  intermingle,  as  the  dif- 


62  RESURRECTION. 

ferent  kinds  of  flesh  of  which  their  material  bodies 
are  composed. 

The  following  is  from  the  Times  and  Seasons^  vol. 
5,  piii^e  617:  "  Mothers,  you  shall  have  your  children, 
for  they  shall  have  eternal  life:  for  their  debt  is  paid, 
there  is  no  damnation  awaits  them,  for  they  are  in  the 
spirit.  As  the  child  dies,  so  shall  it  rise  from  the 
dead  and  be  forever  living  in  the  learning  of  God;  it 
shall  be  the  child,  the  same  as  it  was  before  it  died 
out  of  your  arms.  Children  dwell  and  exercise  power 
in  the  same  form  as  they  laid  them  down.'* 

In  the  History  of  Joseph  Smithy  under  date  of 
April  7,  1843,  ^^  fi"^  ^^^  following  very  pointed  as- 
sertion on  this  subject:  "There  is  no  fundamental 
principle  belonging  to  a  human  system  that  ever  goes 
into  another  in  this  world  or  in  the  world  to  come:  I 
care  not  what  the  theories  of  men  are.  We  have  the 
testimony  that  God  will  raise  us  up,  and  he  has  the 
power  to  do  it.  If  any  supposes  that  any  part  of  our 
bodies,  that  is  the  fundamental  parts  thereof,  ever 
goes  into  another  body,  he  is  mistaken." 

See  a  Sermon  by  y.  Smithy  yun. ,  Times  and  Seasons,  Vol, 
5,  page  612. 

Also  a  Pamphlet  published  the  safne  year  in  which  the  above 
Discourse  was  delivered. 

Book  of  JBtormon. 

2  'Seghi  9.  4  must  waste  away,  but  in  our  bodies  we  shall  see 
God. 

6  as  death  has  passed  on  all  men,  there  must  be  a  power  0/ 
resurrection. 

8.  9  if  the  flesh  should  rise  no  more,  our  spirits  must  become 
subject  to  the  devil. 

12  the  bodies  and  spirits  of  men  will  be  restored,  the  one  to 
the  other. 

Alma  U.  43—45  the  spirit  and  the  body  shall  be  reunited  in 
perfect  form. 

40.  23  not  a  hair  of  the  head  shall  be  lost. 

Mormon  6.  21  day  soon  cometh  that  your  mortal  must  put  or 
immortality. 


RESURRECTION.  63 

Matt.  22.  28  therefore  in  the  resurrection  whose  wife  shall  she 
be.    Luke'2^).  33. 

31,  32  God  is  not  the  God  of  the  dead  but  of  the  living. 

Mark  12.  25  rise  from  the  dead,  they  neither  marry  norarcgiven 
in  marriage. 

Luke  26.  36  are  the  children  of  God,  being  the  children  of  the 
resurrection. 

John  5.  21  the  Father  raiseth  tip  the  dead;  the  Son  quickeneth 
whom  he  will. 

28  all  that  are  in  their  graves  shall  hear  his  voice. 

11.  24  I  know  he  shali  ?i^  again  in  the  resurrection  at  the  last 
day.  25,  26. 

Acts  4.  2  and  preached  through  Jesus  the  resurrection  from  the 
dead.  10,  33. 

24.  15  a  resurrection  of  both  the  just  and  unjust. 

26.  8  thought  a  thing  incredible  with  you,  that  God  should 
raise  the  dead. 

Rom.  4.  17  even  God  who  quickeneth  tlie  dead. 

6.  5  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection. 

1  Cor.  3.  22  life  or  death,  things  present  or  to  come,  all  are 
yours. 

15.  40—44  bodies  are  raised  in  different  degrees  of  glory,  ac- 
cording to  their  order. 

45  first  man,  Adam,  was  made  a  living  soul,'the  last  a  quicken- 
ing spirit. 

Col.  3.  1  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things  which 
are  above. 

2  Tim.  1.  10  who  hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light 
through  the  Gospel. 

Ileh.  6.  2  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal  judg- 
ment. 

11.  a5  not  accepting  deliverance,  that  they  might  obtain  a  bet- 
ter resurrection. 

1  Peter  1.  3  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  lively  hope  of  the 
resurrection. 

Rev.  1.  5  first  begotten  of  the  dead,  and  king  of  the  princes  of 
the  earth. 

14.  13  blessed  ar«  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord.  Their  works 
follow  them. 


Book  of  Ittormon. 

Alma  11.  41  the  wicked  remain  as  though  there  had  been  no  re- 
demption made,  except  the  loosing  of  the  bands  of  death. 

12.  7  been  spoken  concerning  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
that  all  shall  rise.  16, 18,  24. 

Chap.  40.  no  resurrection  until  after  the  coming  of  Christ.  A. 
time  appointed  that  all  shall  rise.  Mu'^t  neerls  be  a  space  between 
death  and  the  resurrection.    State  of  the  soul  during  that  time. 

3  Nephi  28.  36 — 40  concerning  the  change  wrought  in  the  diaci- 
ples  who  were  to  tarry. 


64  THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD. 

Sec.  42.  45  especially  for  those  that  have  not  hope  of  a  glorious 
resurrection. 

43.  18  say  to  the  sleeping  nations,  ye  Saints  arise,  ye  sinners 
stay  and  sleep. 

32  he  that  liveth  in  righteousness  shall  be  changed  in  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye. 

88.  14  through  the  redemption  that  is  made  for  you,  is  brought 
to  pass  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

101.  31  not  sleep  but  shall  be  changed  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye. 

130.  18  whatever  knowledge  we  attain  to  in  this  life,  will  rise 
with  us  in  the  resurrection. 

132.  13  all  things  not  ordained  of  God,  shall  not  remc^  in  after 
the  resurrection. 

133.  55  Moses,  Elijah  and  John  with  Christ  in  his  resurrection 

Sg£  a  Pamphlet  by  B.  Young. 

Sermon  by  J.  Smithy  J,  of  D.,   Vol.  6,  page  i. 

' '  B.   Young,         *  *  Vol.  ij,  page  ijg. 

•'  Geo.    Q.    Cannon,  J.  of  D.,   Vol.  ij,  page  IJ4. 

Article  by  P.  P.  Pratt,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  2,  page  gy. 
Key  10  Theology,  Chapter  15. 
Sermon  by  J.  Sinilh,  Mil.  Star,   Vol,  j,  page  ^g. 
Article  h  C.   IV.  Penrose,  Mil.  Star,   Vol,  30,  page  65-, 
History  of  J,  Stnith,  April  16,  184J, 


THE  HOLY  PRIESTHOOD. 

"There  are,  in  the  church,  two  Priesthoods,  name- 
ly, the  Melchisedek  and  Aaronic,  including  me  Levi- 
tical  Priesthood.  Why  the  first  is  called  the  Melchise- 
dek Priesthood,  is  because  Melchisedek  was  such  a 
great  High  Priest.  Before  his  day  it  was  called  the 
Holy  Priesthood,  after  the  Order  of  the  Son  of  God, 
«•  *  -:^  AH  other  authorities  or  offices  in  the 
church  are  appendages  to  this  Priesthood;  "  Doc.  <Sr* 
Cov.  107.  I — 5. 

In  the  ordinances  of  this  Priesthood  "The  power 
of  Godliness  is  manifest;  and  without  the  ordinances 


THE  HOLY  PRIESTHOOD.  65 

thereof,  and  the  authority  of  the  Priesthood,  the 
power  of  Godliness  is  not  manifest  unto  men  in  the 
riesh;  "  84.  20,  21. 

This  Priesthood,  or  Order  of  the  Son  of  God^  is 
"Without  father,  without  mother,  without  descent, 
having  neither  beginning  of  days,  nor  end  of  Hfe;  " 
Heb.  7.  3.  Its  authority  and  powers  have  ever  ex- 
isted, and  there  has  never  been  wanting  intelligences 
to  manifest  them  through  its  ordinances. 

**This  greater  Priesthood  administereth  the  Gos- 
pel and  holdeth  the  key  of  the  mysteries  of  the  king- 
dom even  the  key  of  the  knowledge  of  God ;  "  Doc, 
<^  Cov.  84.  19.  That  this  passage  refers  to  a  per- 
sonal knowledge  of  God  is  evident  irom  verse  21^ 
**  For  without  this  no  man  can  see  the  face  of  God, 
ev«n  the  Father,  and  live."  This  is  a  distinct  line 
drawn  between  the  two  Priesthoods. 

That  man  could  not  attain  to  the  knowledge  which 
would  admit  him  to  the  presence  of  God,  without  the 
Melchisedek  Priesthood,  ^  'Moses  plainly  taught  to 
the  children  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  and  sought 
dihgently  to  sanctify  his  people  that  they  might  be- 
hold the  face  of  God;  but  they  hardened  their  hearts 
and  could  not  endure  his  presence,  therefore  the  Lord 
in  his  wrath  (for  his  anger  was  kindled  against  them) 
swore  that  they  should  not  enter  into  his  rest  while  in 
the  wilderness^  which  rest  is  the  fulness  of  his  glory. 
Therefore  he  took  Moses  out  of  their  midst,  and  the 
Holy  Priesthood  also;*'  verses  i^^ — 25. 

The  Latter-day  Saints  have  this  Priesthood,  with 
its  authority,  ordinances  and  blessings.  How  they 
have  obtained  it,  is  a  very  important  question.  Peter 
was  the  chief  of  the  apostles,  in  the  Gospel  dispen- 
sation, from  which  we  understand  that  the  Presidency 
of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  in  that  dispensation, 
was  vested  in  him,  and  that  it  was  through  him  that 
its  succession  could  be  a^ain  restored  to  the  earth. 
We  find  that  in  June,  1829,  a  revelation  was  given, 
making  known  the  calling  of  a  Council  of  Twelve 
Apostles;  Doc  (Sr»  Cov.   18.  27. 

It  is  evident  that  between  the  fifteenth  of  May, 
1829,  and  the  time  when  this  revelation  was  given,  in 


66  THE   HOLY   PRIESTHOOD. 

June  following,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  O.  Cowdery,  and 
D.  Whiimer  were  called  '  to  the  Melchisedek 
Priesthood.  For  the  Lord,  speaking  to  O.  Cowdery 
and  D.  Whitmer,  said,  '•  I  speak  unto  you,  even  as 
unto  Paul  mine  apostle,  for  you  are  called  even  with 
the  same  calling  with  which  he  was  called; "'  verse  g, 

.  While  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  is  not  mentioned  here 
as  an  apostle,  we  have  the  information  in  a  revelation 
given  April,  1830,  that  he  was  the  tirst  apostle  and 
elder  of  this  church,  "Which  commandments  were 
given  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  who  was  called  of  God, 
and  ordained  an  apostle  oi  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  the 
FIRST  ELDER  of  this  church ;  and  to  Oliver  Cow- 
dery, who  was  also  called  of  God,  an  apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ,  to  be  the  second  elder  of  this  church,  and 
ordained  under  his  hand;  "  Doc.  &^  Cov.  20.  2,  3. 

We  are  informed  in  sec.  27.  12,  under  date  of  Sep- 
tember, 1830,  who  ordained  them;  "And  also  with 
Peter,  and  James,  and  John,  whom  I  have  sent  unto 
you,  by  whom  I  have  ordained  you  and  confirmed 
you  to  be  apostles,  and  especial  witnesses  of  my 
name,  and  bear  the  keys  of  your  ministry,  and  of  the 
same  things  which  I  revealed  unto  them." 

The  presidency  of  Peter,  James  and  John  are 
plainly  asserted  in  the  above  passages;  the  thir- 
teenth verse,  with  the  context,  informs  us  that  they 
bestowed  the  presidency  of  this  dispensation  on 
Joseph  Smith  and  others:  "  Unto  whom  I  have  com- 
mitted the  keys  of  my  kingdom,  and  a  dispensation 
of  the  Gospel  for  the  last  time;  and  for  the  fulness 
of  times,  in  the  which  1  will  gather  tog^ether  in  one  all 
things,  both  which  are  in  heaven,  and  which  are  on 
earth."  We  are  informed  that  these  primitive  apos- 
tles also  testified  that  they  held  this  presidency  of  the 
Melchisedek  Priesthood:  "The  voice  of  Peter, 
James  and  John  in  the  wilderness  between  Harmony, 
Susquehanna  County,  and  Colesville,  Broome  County, 
on  the  Susquehanna  river,  declaring  themselves  as 
possessing  the  keys  of  the  kingdom,  and  of  the  dis-  < 
pensation  of  the  fulness  of  times;"  128.  20. 

In  the   thirty-seventh  verse  of  sec.  18,  the  Lord 
designated  O.  Cowdery  and  D.  Whitmer  as  two  men 


THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD.  67 

he  had  chosen  to  search  out  the  then  future  Twelve, 
whom  the  Lord  declares,  in  the  twenty-seventh  verse 
were  already  called.  This  selection,  of  the  Council  of 
Twelve  Apostles,  was  not  made  until  February  14, 
1835,  over  five  years  afterwards. 

The  most  comprehensive  evidence  that  Joseph 
Smith.  Jun.,  received  the  authority  and  power  of  the 
Holy  Priesthood,  is  that  the  works  of  John  the  Bap- 
tist, of  Jesus  and  his  apostles,  are  being  again  done 
on  the  earth  by  his  administration.  To  receive  the 
powers  of  this  Priesthood,  it  is  necessary  that  men 
should  obey  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel. 

The  Lord  has  personally  appeared  to  some  men, 
and  covenanted  with  them  as  he  did  with  Abraham; 
Geii,  12.  I — 3.  chap.  13.  14 — 17.  The  Lord  also 
personally  called  and  authorized  his  twelve  Jewish 
apostles.  So  fully  were  they  authorized  to  labor  for 
him,  and  act  in  his  name,  that  he  said  to  them,  "He 
that  receiveth  you receiveth  me;  and  he  that  receiveth 
me  receiveth  him  that  sent  me;  "  Matt,  10.  40. 

More  generally,  it  is  from  the  prophets  and  apos- 
tles of  Christ  that  men  receive  the  Priesthood. 
Many  received  it  under  the  hands  of  the  apostles  of 
the  first  Gospel  dispensation.  Those  who  have  re- 
ceived it  in  this  latter-day  dispensation,  have  re- 
ceived it  from  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  O.  Cowdery, 
and,  in  doing  so,  have  received  it  through  a  legiti- 
mate channel  from  God  the  Father,  and  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ.  Those  who  have  received  this  Priest- 
hood have  covenanted  with  God  the  Father,  and  he 
with  them.  This  is  evidently  the  view  taken  of  the 
subject  in  the  above  passage  quoted  from  Matthew. 

The  doctrine  is  more  fully  illustrated  in  Doc.  &*^ 
Cov,\  '*A11  they  who  receive  this  Priesthood  receiveth' 
me,  saith  the  Lord;  for  he  that  receiveth  my  ser- 
vants receiveth  me;  and  he  that  receiveth  me  re- 
ceiveth my  Father;  and  he  that  receiveth  my  Father, 
receiveth 'my  Father's  kingdom;  therefore  all  that 
my  Father  hath  shall  be  given  unto  him;  and  this  is 
according  to  the  oath  and  covenant  which  belongeth 
to  the  Priesthood; "  84.  35 — 39. 


68  THE    HOLY    PRIESTHOOD. 

Gen.  14.  18, 20  Melchisedek,  king  of  Salem,  blessed  Abraham. 
Heb.  7.  1,  2. 

PscUm  110.  4  thou  art  a  priest  forever  after  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedek.   Heb.  5.  6, 10.    Chap.  6.  20. 

Acts  14.  23  and  when  they  had  ordained  them  elders  in  every 
church. 

20.  17  sent  to  Ephesus  and  called  the  elders  of  the  church. 

Titus  1.  5  and  ordain  elders  in  every  city. 

Heb.  2  17  a  faithful  High  Priest,  to  make  reconciliation  for  the 
sins  of  the  people. 

3.  1  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession. 

4.  14  a  great  high  priest,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God. 

lo  not  an  high  priest  who  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  ol 
our  infirmities. 

5.  1  every  high  priest  taken  from  among  men  is  ordained.  8.  3. 
8.  1,  2  Jesus  Christ  an  high  priest,  and  minister  of  the  sanctu- 
ary. 3,5. 

10.  19—21  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of 
Jesus. 


Book  of  JHormoit. 

Mos,  29.  42  the  office  of  high  priest  conferred  on  Alma  by  his 
father. 

Alma  4:.  4  Alma  high  priest  over  the  church.  20.  Chap.  5.  3, 
49,  51. 

6.  1  ordained  priests  and  elders  according  to  the  holy  order  of 
God.  8. 

13.  1,  2.  ordained  priests  after  the  order  of  his  Son,  that  the 
people  might  know  how  to  look  forward  to  the  redemption  of  Ins 
Son. 

3  Nephi  18.  5  one  ordained  to  bless  bread,  and  break  it. 

Sec.  18.  27—39  duty  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  to  preach  the 
Gospel. 

21.  1  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  to  be  called  a  seer,  translator,  prophet  and 
apostle. 

10, 11  J.  Smith.  Jun.,  and  O.  Cowdery  ordain  each  other. 

27.  5 — 11  personages  who  held  important  keys  of  the  Priest- 
hood, in  former  dispensations. 

28.  2  none  to  receive  revelations  for  the  church  but  J.  Smith, 
Jun. 

Sec.  102.  organization  of  the  first  High  Council  of  the  church. 

106.  1  W.  A.  Cowdery  appointed  and  ordained  a  presiding  high 
priest. 

107.  33  the  Twelve  are  a  traveling  presiding  High  Council,  to 
officiate  in  the  name  of  the  I^ord  under  the  direction  of  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  church  agreeable  to  the  institution  of  heaven  to 


THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD.  69 

build  up  the  church,  and  rejiulate  all  the  attairs  of  the  same  in  all 
nations ;  first  unto  the  Gentiles,  and  secondly  unlo  the  Jews. 


f  tarl  o£  (Srjeat  ^xitt. 

Page  2G.  Abraham  became  a  high  priest,  holding  the  right  be- 
fathers. 
I  was  of  that  lineage  which  could  not  have  the  right 


longing  to  the  fatliers. 

28.  Pharaoh -^ 
of  Priesthood. 


John  15.  16  ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you. 

1  Cor.  5.  5  offenders  to  be  delivered  to  Satan  by  tlie  Priesthood. 

2  Cor.  5.  20  now  then  we  are  embassadors  for  Christ. 

Heb.  5.  4  no  man  taketh  this  honor,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God. 
7.  15 — 28  another  priest  who  is  made  after  the  power  of  endless 
lives. 

9.  11—28  Christ  the  great  sacrifice,  the  Mediator  of  the  New 
Testament. 

10.  19—21  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest,  by  the- blood  of 
Jesus. 

1  Peter  2.  5  an  Holy  Priesthood  to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices.  25. 
Bev.  1.  6  and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God.  o.  10. 

Chap.  20.  6 

7.  3  sealed  the  servants  of  God  in  their  foreheads. 

Book  of  JHorntoit. 

2  Nephi  C).  2  called  of  God  and  ordained  after  his  holy  order. 
Mos.  3.  23  1  have  spoken  wJiat  the  Loid  hatli  commanded  me. 
23.  16, 17  none  received  authority  to  teach  except  from  God. 
Alma  7.  22  ye  may  walk  afier  the  holy  order  of  God.  Chap  8.  4. 
13.  3  being  called  and  prepared,  Irom  the  foundation  of  the 

world. 

.")— 20  calling,  foreordination  and  eternal  duration  of  the  Priest- 
hood. 

17.  3  they  taught  with  power  and  authority  from  God. 

18  Ammon  imparted  the  word  of  God  to  his  brethren. 

49.  30  word  of  God  declared  by  those  ordained  after  the  holv 
order  of  God. 

Hel.  8.  18  many  before  Abraham  who  were  called  by  the  order 
of  God.    Ether  12.  10. 


©octrint  antr  Cobtnantj?. 

Lecture  011  Faith,  Sec.  2.  genealogy  of  the  Priesthood  ft-om  Adam 
to  Abraham. 

Sec.  1.  J 7, 18  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  authorized  to  declare  the  Gosp;.!, 
that  the  prophets  might  be  fulfilled. 


70  THE   HOLY   PRIESTHOOD. 

30  that  tbey  might  have  power  to  organize  the  true  church. 

2.  1, 2  the  Priesthood  to  be  revealed  by  Elijah. 

19.  9  I  speak  unto  you  that  are  chosen  in  this  thing. 

29.  4  ye  are  chosen  out  of  the  world  to  declare  my  Gospel 

35.  18  the  keys  of  those  things  that  have  been  sealed,  given  to 
J.  Smith,  Jun. 

42.  11  ordination  to  be  done  by  one  having  authority, 

65  unto  you  is  given  to  know  the  mj'steries  of  the  kingdom.  69, 

64.  5  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  not  to  be  taken  from  J.  Smith, 
Jun. 

68.  2  this  is  an  ensample  to  all  who  were  ordained  to  this 
Priesthood. 

72.  1  the  kingdom  and  power  given-  to  the  high  priests  of  the 
church. 

77.  11  those  to  be  sealed  out  of  the  tribes  of  Israel  are  high 
priests.    Eev.  7.  4—8. 

78.  1  hearken  to  me  you  who  are  ordained  to  the  High  Priest- 
hood. 

84.  6—16  lineage  of  the  Priesthood  from  the  sons  of  Moses  back 
to  Adam. 

25,  26  the  Lord  took  Moses  and  the  Holy  Priesthood  from  the 
midst  of  Israel. 

29  offices  of  elder  and  bishop  necessary  appendages  to  the  Mel- 
chisedek  Priesthood. 

33,  3-i  those  faithful  to  the  obtaining  of  these  two  Priesthoods, 
become  the  sons  of  Moses  and  Aaron. 

86.  8  saith  the  Lord  to  you  with  whom  the  Priesthood  hath 
continued.  10,  11. 

113.  8  the  strength  of  Zion  is  the  power  of  the  Priesthood. 

121.  21  neither  they  nor  their  posterity  shall  have  a  right  to 
tlie  Priesthood. 

36—45  the  necessity  of  exercising  the  powers  of  the  Priesthood 
in  meekness. 

124.  33,  34  temples  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  the  holy 
Priesthood. 

91—^5  H.  Smith  clothed  with  the  sama  Priesthood  and  gifts  as 
weie  once  bestowed  on  O.  Cowdery. 

!23  the  offices  and  keys  of  the  Priesthood,  on  J.  Smith,  Jun, 

124  H.  Smith  holds  the  sealing  blessings  of  the  church. 

135—145  instructions  concerning  various  quorums. 

127.  8  the  Lord  about  to  restore  many  things  pertaining  to  the 
Priesthood. 

128.  8  nature  of  this  ordinance  consists  in  the  power  of  the 
Priesthood. 

132.  44  then  shall  you  have  power  by  my  Holy  Priesthood  to  • 
take  her. 

58  many  things  pertaining  to  the  law  of  the  Priesthood. 


Page  13.  the  same  Priesthood,  in  the  beginning  and  end  of  the 
world. 

17.  thou  art  alter  the  order  of  him  who  was  without  beginning 
of  days. 


THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD.  7I 

23.  and  the  Lord  ordained  Noah  after  his  order. 
29.  the  seed  of  Abraham  to  bear  this  mission  and  Priesthood  to 
all  nations. 


THE   AARONIC   PRIESTHOOD. 

John  the  Baptist  was  the  acknowledged  forerun- 
ner of  Christ,  and,  as  such,  he  preached  the  prepara- 
tory Gospel  of  repentance,  and  baptism  for  the  re- 
mission of  sins.  His  father,  Zacharias,  was  a  priest 
of  the  course  of  Abia,  and  his  mother  was  of  the 
daughters  of  Aaron;  Luke  i.  5. 

'i  1ms  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  was  the  heritage  of 
John  the  Baptist.  His  ministry  evidences  that  he  was 
clothed  with  its  authority.  That  the  chain  of  evi- 
dence might  be  complete,  regarding  this  fact,  the 
Lord  revealed  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  that  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  by  an  angel;  Doc, 
dr*  Cov.  84.  28.  Being  the  first  man  ordained  to  it  in 
the  former  Gospel  dispensation,  he  holds  the  presi- 
dency of  that  Priesthood  in  all  subsequent  dispensa- 
tions. 

As  a  sequence,  the  man  who  should  open  up  the 
last  dispensation  must  receive  it  from  him.  We  have 
the  testimony  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  Oliver  Cow- 
dery,  that  John  the  Baptist  did  ordain  them  to  this 
Priesthood,  using  the  following  words,  "Upon  you 
my  fellow  servants,  in  the  name  of  Messiah,  I  confer 
the  Priesthood  of  Aaron,  which  holds  the  keys  of  the 
ministering  of  angels,  and  of  the  Gospel  of  repent- 
ance, and  of  baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission 
of  sins;  and  this  shall  never  be  taken  again  from  tne 
earth,  until  the  sons  of  Levi  do  offer  again  an  offering 
unto  the  Lord  in  righteousness ;  "  Doc,  &^  Cov,,  sec, 

"  The  messenger  who  visited  us  on  this  occasion, 
and  conferred  this  Priesthood  upon  us,  said  that  his 
name  was  John,  the  same  that  is  called  John  the  Bap- 


72  THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD. 

tist'in  the  New  Testament,  and  that  he  acted  under 
the  direction  of  Peter,  James  and  John,  who  held  the 
keys  of  the  Priesthood  of  Melchisedek,  which  Priest- 
hood he  said  should  in  due  time  be  conferred  on  us, 
and  that  I  should  be  called  the  first  Elder,  and  Oliver 
the  second,  it  was  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  May,  1829, 
that  we  were  ordained  under  the  hand  of  the  messen- 
ger and  baptized;  "  His.  of  J.  Smith,  Jun.y  May  15, 
1829. 

Thus  was  the  succession  of  the  Lesser  Priesthood 
again  restored  to  the  earth. 

Qen.  29.  34  Levi  was  the  third  son  of  Jacob  and  Leah. 

50.  7  all  the  elders  of  his  house,  and  of  the  land  ol  Egj'pt. 

Exo.  3.  16  go  and  gather  the  elders  of  Israel  together. 

6.  16  names  of  the  sons  of  Levi. 

17.  5  take  with  thee  of  the  elders  of  Israel. 

18. 1  Jethro,  the  priest  of  Midian. 

19.  7  Moses  called  for  the  elders.  22. 

28.  1  Aaron  and  his  sons  set  apart  to  minister  in  the  priest's 
office.    Chap.  29.  44.     Cha'p.  30.  30.     Chap.  40.  13. 15. 

Lev.  7.  35,  36  Aaron  and  his  sons  anointed  priests  by  a  statute 
throughout  all  their  generations.  4.  15. 

CViap.  8.  Aaron  and  his  sons  anointed  and  clothed  in  their 
priestly  garments. 

Chap.  16.  an  enumeration  of  many  of  the  duties  of  Aaron, 

Num.  3.  1 — 10  Aaron  and  his  sons  appointed   to  the   priest's 
office. 

3.  12  the  Levites  taken  in  place  of  the  first-born  of  Israel. 

Chap.  4.  an  enumeration  of  some  of  the  duties  of  the  priests 
and  Levites. 

11.  25  the  Lord  gave  his  Spirit  unto  the  seventy  elders. 

16.  lO  seek  ye  the  Priesthood  also? 

Chap.  18.  the  Lord's  charge  to  Aaron  and  his  sons. 
.    35.  2— a  the  cities  of  refuge  the  inheritance  of  the  Levites. 

Deut.  10.  8,  9  Levi  had  no  inheritance  with  his  brethren. 

21.  5  the  Priesthood  of  Levi  had  authority  to  try  all  manner  of 
controversy. 

ol.  28  go  gather  all  the  elders  of  your  tribes. 

2  Chron.  29.  enumerates  several  duties  of  the  Priesthood. 

31.  4—11  tithing  to  be  received  by  the  Aaronic  Priesthood. 

Fsalm  99.  6  Moses  and  Aaron  among  his  priests. 

107.  32  praise  him  in  the  assembly  of  the  elders. 

i;;2.  9  let  thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness. 

Is:i.  61.  6  ye  shall  be  named  the  priests  of  the  Lord. 

66.  21  I  will  take  of  them  for  priests  and  Levites,  saith  the  Lord. 

Ezek.  8.  1  I  sat  in  mine  house,  and  the  elders  of  Israel  before 
me- 


THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD.  73 

45.  4  Levitical  Priesthood  the  ministers  of  the  sanctuar>-. 
Joel  1.  14  gather  the  elders  and  ail  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ian»^ 
Mai.  '2.  4—6  God's  covenant  with  Levi  for  his  righteousness. 
3.  o  he  shall  purify  and  purge  the  sons  of  Levi. 
FkU.  1.  1  to  the  Saints,  bishops  and  deacons. 
1  Tim,  3.  1—13  qualifications  and  duties  of  bishops  and  dea- 
cons. 


Sec.  20.  38—71  the  duties  of  elders,  priests,  teachers,  deacons  and 
members  of  the  church  of  Christ. 

41.  y  E.  Partridge  ordained  first  bishop  to  the  church. 

42.  12—14  instructions  to  elders,  priests  and  teachers. 

G8.  14, 15  bishops  to  be  high  priests,  unless  literal  descendents 
of  Aaron. 

16, 17  the  first  bom  held  the  right  of  presidency  in  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood. 

22—24  a  bishop  can  be  tried  only  by  the  First  Presidency  of  the 
church. 

72.  18—20  N.  K.  Whitney  ordained.    Duties  of  bishops. 

84.  18  the  Lord  confirmed  a  Priesthood  on  Aaron  and  his  sons 
for  ever. 

107  the  lesser  Priesthood  to  go  before  and  prepare  the  way. 

!6ec.  107.  the  higher  and  lesser  Priesthoods,  their  organi::ations, 
the  duties  pertaining  to  their  various  oflices,  and  the  lineage  of 
the  Priesthood. 


EVANGELISTS  OR  PATRIARCHS. 

In  the  History  of  Joseph  Smith.,  under  date  of 
June  27,  1839,  will  be  found  the  following:  "An  Evan- 
gelist is  a  Patriarch,  even  the  oldest  man  of  the  blood 
of  Joseph  or  of  the  seed  of  Abraham.  Whenever 
the  Church  of  Christ  is  established  in  the  earth,  there 
should  be  a  Patriarch  for  the  benefit  of  the  posterity 
of  the  Saints,  as  it  was  with  Jacob  in  giving  his  pa- 
triarchal blessing  unto  his  sons,"  etc. 

As  the  singular  number  is  here  used,  exclusively, 
doubtless  the  Prophet  Joseph,  in  the  above  passage, 
speaks  of  the  Patriarch  of  the  whole  church. 

In  the  History  of  Joseph  Smith.,  under  date  of 
September  14,  1840,  we  are  informed  that  Joseph 
Smith,  Sen.,  Patriarch  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 


74  THE   HOLY    i'RIESTHOOD. 

of  Latter-day  Saints,  died  at  Nauvoo.  In  a  biograph- 
ical sketch  of  him,  of  the  same  date,  we  are  informed 
that  he  was  ordained  to  this  office,  on  the  eighteenth 
of  December,  1833. 

The  distinguishing  feature  between  his  calling  and 
that  of  other  patriarchs  is,  that  he  was  patriarch  of 
the  whole  church,  while  others  were  ordained  patri- 
archs in  the  church.  Of  the  latter  was  John  Young, 
Sen.,  who  was  ordained  a  patriarch  in  the  church  by 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  in  1834;  His.  of  J. 
Smiths  under  date  of  Aug,  8,  1844. 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Twelve,  in  all  large  branches 
of  the  church,  to  ordain  evangelical  ministers,  (or  pa- 
triarchs), as  they  shall  be  designated  unto  them  by 
revelation;  "  Doc.  &^  Cov.  107.  39. 

'•'  The  order  of  this  (patriarchal)  Priesthood  was 
confirmed,  to  be  handed  down  from  father  to  son,  and 
rightly  belongs  to  the  literal  descendants  of  the 
chosen  seed,  to  whom  the  promises  were  made.  This 
order  was  instituted  in  the  days  of  Adam,  and  came 
down  by  lineage;  "  verses  40 — 57. 

From  the  last  quotation  it  is  evident  that  if  a  man 
holds  the  High  Priesthood,  by  virtue  of  that  Priest- 
hood he  is  patriarch  over  his  own  posterity,  and  as 
such  has  a  right  to  bestow  upon  them  patriarchal 
blessings. 

A  little  more  than  four  months  after  the  death  of 
the  Patriarch,  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  in  a  revelation 
given  to  his  son  Joseph,  occurs  the  following:  *^  That 
my  servant  Hyrum  may  take  the  office  of  Priesthood 
and  Patriarch,  which  was  appointed  unto  him  by  his 
father,  by  blessiiig  and  also  by  rights  that  from  hence- 
forth he  shall  hold  the  keys  of  the  patriarchal  bless- 
ings upon  the  heads  of  all  my  people,  that  whoever 
he  blesses  shall  be  blessed,  and  whoever  he  curses 
shall  be  cursed;  that  whatsoever  he  shall  bind  on 
earth  shall  be  bound  in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  he 
shall  loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven;" 
Doc.   <Sr^   Cov.  124.  91 — 93. 

From  this  we  learn,  that  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  in- 
herited the  Patriarchal  Priesthood,  by  right  from  the 
fathers  over  the  house  of  Israel  in  this  dispensation. 


THE   HOLY   PRIESTHOOI*.  75 

For  this  right  to  have  descended  to  him,  by  lineage, 
he  must  of  necessity  be  an  Ephraimite,  for  Ephraim, 
by  the  right  of  appointment  and  ordination  by  his 
father  Jacob,  is  the  head  of  Israel.  This  fact  is 
plainly  stated  in  the  Scriptures:  "Now  the  sons  of 
Reuben  the  firstborn  of  Israel,  for  he  was  the  first- 
born; but,  forasmuch  as  he  defiled  his  father's  bed, 
his  birthright  was  given  unto  the  sons  of  Joseph  the 
son  of  Israel:  and  the  genealogy  is  not  to  be  reck- 
oned after  the  birthright;  "  i  Chron.  5.  i. 

Just  before  his  death,  in  blessing  Ephraim  and 
Manasseh,  Jacob  adopted  the  sons  of  Joseph  as  his 
own.  Said  he,  "  Let  my  name  be  named  on  them, 
and  the  name  of  my  fathers  Abraham  and  Isaac;  " 
Gen.  48.  16.  For  this  reason,  these  two  sons  of 
Joseph,  each,  had  a  name  as  the  head  of  tribes  in 
Israel,  "and  he  set  Ephraim  before  Manasseh;" 
Gen.  48.  20. 

The  Lord  further  declared  through  his  prophet 
Jeremiah,  "  1  am  a  father  to  Israel,  and  Ephraim  is 
my  firstborn;  "  31.  9. 

By  virtue  of  this  adoption  of  Ephraim,  as  the 
head  of  the  house  of  Israel,  and  Joseph  Smith,  Sen., 
being  the  oldest  son  of  Ephraim,  holding  the  Priest- 
hood in  this  dispensation,  he  is  Patriarch  of  the  whole 
church,  by  right.  This  right  should  be  perpetuated 
in  his  family,  as  the  oldest  branch  of  the  tribe  of 
Ephraim. 

If,  from  any  cause,  there  should  be  failure  of  a 
son  to  exercise  this  right,  then  the  office  would  be 
filled  from  the  next  eldest  branch  of  the  family. 

This  has  been  the  case  in  the  short  history  of  the 
church.  When  Joseph  and  Hyrum  were  martyred, 
the  latter  had  no  son  old  enough  to  fill  the  office  of 
patriarch,  and  John,  his  eldest  living  brother,  was 
ordained  to  the  office  vacated  by  his  death. 

After  the  death  of  father  John  Smith,  the  office 
reverted  back  to  the  family  of  Hyrum  Smith,  for  his 
oldest  son  John  had  grown  to  manhood,  and  was 
ordained  Patriarch  of  the  whole  church. 


76  THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD. 

BiMt. 

Ge7i.  8.  21,  22  God  covenanted  with  Noah,  that  he  would  not 
again  destroy  all  flesh. 

y.  1  God  blessed  Noah  and  his  sons,  and  said,  be  fruitful  and 
multiply. 

21—27  Noah  cursed  Canaan,  and  blessed  Shem  and  Japhet. 

12.  1—3  the  Lord  promised  Abraham  that  in  his  Feed  all  the 
families  of  the  earth  should  be  blessed.  26.  4. 

7  the  land  of  Canaan  promised  to  Abraham  and  his  seed. 

13.  15—17  I  will  make  thy  seed  as  the  dust  ot  the  eaith. 

14.  18, 19  Melchisedek  took  bread  and  wine  and  blessed  Abra- 
ham. 

16.  10  the  angel  said  to  Hagar,  I  will  multiply  thy  seed  exceed 
ingly. 

17.  6  I  will  make  nations  of  thee,  and  kings  shall  come  out  ol 
thee. 

7  God  covenants  to  be  a  God  to  Abraham  and  his  seed. 
16  Abraham  is  promised  that  Sarah  should  be  a  mother  of  na- 
tions. 

19  the  Lord  promised  to  establish  his  covenant  with  Isaac. 

20  Ishmael  to  become  a  great  nation. 

22.  17  the  seed  of  Abraham  to  possess  the  gate  of  their  enemies. 

24.  60  Kebecca  to  be  the  mother  of  thousands  ot  millions. 

25.  23  Rebecca  is  promised  that  she  should  be  the  mother  of  two 
nations. 

27.  28, 29  Isaac's  blessing  on  his  son  Jacob. 
39,  40  Jacob's  blessing  on  Esau. 

28.  1—4  Isaac  sends  Jacob  to  Padan-amr!  and  blesses  him. 

31.  55  Laban  kissed  and  blessed  his  sons  and  daughters. 

32.  12  Jacob  claims  the  blessings  of  Abraham  and  Isaac. 
24 — 29  the  Lord  wrestles  with  and  blesses  Jacob  at  Peniel. 

35.  10—12  the  Lord  names  Jacob  Israel,  and  declares  that  a  com- 
pany of  nations  shall  come  of  him. 

46.  2—4  Jacob  is  promised  that  he  should  be  made  a  great  na- 
tion in  Egypt,  and  be  brought  out  again. 

48.  15—20  Jacob's  blessings  on  the  sons  of  Joseph. 

4i)   1  Jacob  called  his  sons  together  to  bless  them. 

22—24  Joseph  a  fruitful  bough  by  a  well,  whose  branches  run 
over  the  wall ;  *  *  •  from  thence  is  the  shepherd,  tlie 
stone  of  Israel. 


Book  of  piormoit. 

1  Nephi  5.  5  I  have  attained  a  land  of  promise. 

2  Nephi  1.  31,  32  the  seed  of  Zoram  to  be  blessed  with  the  ;  eed 
of  Nephi. 

3.  a  Lehi  promised  Joseph  that  his  seed  should  not  be  utterly 
destroyed.  25. 

5  a  righteous  branch  to  be  raised  up  from  the  loins  of  Joseph. 
24  a  mighty  man  to  be  raised  up  among  the  seed  of  Joseph  the 
son  of  Lehi. 

4.  9  the  blessing  of  the  children  of  Laman  left  on  the  children 
of  Lemuel 


THE   HOLY    PRIESTHOOD.  77 

Ether  1.  43  none  greater  than  the  nation  I  Avill  make  of  thee. 
2.  7. 15  but  they  shall  come  forth  to  a  land  oi  promise  choice 
above  all  other  lands. 


gtarl  of  (Krtat  f  rue. 

Page  26.  Abraham  sought  for  the  blessings  of  the  fathers  nnd 
obtained  his  riglit  to  the  ofiice  of  high  priest,  which  came  down 
to  him  through  the  fathers  from  Adam. 


See  sermon  by  P,  P.  Pratt ^  J",  of  D,^  Vol,  i,  page  2^6, 
*•  y.  Smith,  "  "    (5,     "     2jy. 

"  B.   Youf/g,  *•  '*    g,     "       S(\    at 

Mill  Creek. 
••  B.  Young,  *•  *'    9,     "     2'jo. 

**  B,   Yonffg,  Des.  A^etvs,     "    //,    "       66'. 

**  B.    Youvg,   Des,  Eve.  News,  Jufie  2,  iSrfj, 

at  Logan. 
**  B.   Young,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  ij,  page  ^gj. 

Article,  Mil.  Star,   Voi.  4,  page  i. 

"     iS^p(Jge4S6. 
"  y.  A.  Little,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  j8,  page  14s, 

*'  Geo.  Taylor.         "  **     ig,  page  yg6, 

"  C,  VV.  Penrose,    "  '*     2g,  page  ijj. 

O.  Spencer*  s  Letters  to  Rev.   Wm.  Crowe  I,  No.  9. 
A  pdDiphlet,  Items  on  Priesthood,  hy  yohn  Taylor. 
A  Pamphlet,  Succession  in  the  Priesihood,  by  John  Taylor^ 
I/isfory  op  y.  Smith,  June  18 2g. 

April  13,  1833, 
'*  *'  May  2,  183^. 

'•  *'  July  2,  18  ^g. 

"  "         April  28,  1842. 

"  "         May  /,  1842, 


rS  Christ's  first  coming. 


CHRIST'S    FIRST  COMING. 

The  oldest  Bible  prophecy,  of  the  coming  of 
Christ,  is  in  Jacob's  blessing  on  Judah:  ^*  The  seep, 
tre  shall  not  depart  from  Judah,  nor  a  lawgiver  from 
between  his  feet,  until  Shiloh  come;  "  Gen.  49.  10. 

When  Christ  was  born,  the  sceptre  had  not  wholly 
departed  from  Judah,  for  Herod  the  king,  who 
reigned  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  was  virtually  king  of 
Judea.  Christ  was  condemned  to  be  crucified  by 
Pgntius  Pilate,  a  Roman  governor.  The  Shiloh  had 
come  and  the  sceptre  had  entirely  departed,  for  Judah 
was  under  Gentile  rule. 

The  records  of  three  dispensations  assert  that 
Christ  came  to  his  own,  and  they  did  not  receive  him; 
John  I.  II.  2  ■^^P^'^^  9'  ^^'  Doc  &■*  C0V.6.  21,  He 
came  to  his  own  covenant  people,  the  house  of  Is- 
rael, and,  though  they  still  retained  most  of  the  forms 
of  the  Mosaic  ritual,  they  had  apostatized  from  the 
faith  of  their  fathers,  had  drank  deep  into  pagan  phil- 
osophy, had  become  wicked  and  corrupt,  and,  when 
the  Shiloh  came,  they  knew  him  not,  rejected  him, 
and  were  the  means  of  his  death. 

The  numerous  prophecies  of  the  first  coming  of 
Christ,  in  both  the  Jewish  and  Nephite  records,  had 
a  veritable  fulfilment  in  his  birth,  life,  sufferings, 
death  and  resurrection,  and  furnish  overwhelming 
testimony  of  the  Divine  inspiration  of  those  records. 
That  Jesus  Christ  was  the  same  being  who  called 
Abraham  from  his  native  countr}',  who  led  Israel  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt  with  mighty  miracles  and  won- 
ders, who  made  known  to  them  his  law  amid  the 
thunderings  of  Sinai,  who  delivered  them  from  their 
enemies,  who  chastened  them  for  their  disobedience, 
who  inspired  their  prophets,  and  whose  glory  filled 
Solomon's  temple,  is  evident  from  all  the  inspired 
writings,  and  in  none  more  so  than  in  the  Bible. 


Christ's  first  coming.  79 

His  lamentation  over  Jerusalem  evidences  that,  in 
his  humanity,  he  had  not  forgctten  his  former  exalted 
position:  *' O  Jersualem,  Jerusalem,  thou  thatkillest 
the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  that  are  sent  unto 
thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered  \\\y  children 
together,  ^-  *  and  ye  would  not;  "  Matt.  23.  yj. 
It  was  this  creator  of  the  world,  this  mighty  ruler, 
this  controller  of  the  destinies  of  the  human  family, 
who,  in  his  last  moments,  cried  out  in  the  agony  of  his 
soul,  "  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me?  "  Mark  15.  34. 

He  was  the  great  sacrifice  for  the  world's  redemp- 
tion. It  was  a  sacrifice  worthy  of  Deity.  How 
grandly,  how  nobly  it  was  made!  It  was  made  in  the 
meridian  of  time,  and  it  changed  the  character  of  dis- 
pensations. Israel  ceased  to  be  a  nation,  and  the 
Gentile  rule  was  ushered  in,  to  continue  for  many 
long  centuries,  in  which  God's  chosen  people  were  to 
suffer  terrible  persecutions.  We  must  look  at  Jesus 
Christ  in  his  true  character  of  God  and  Savior,  in  or- 
der to  form  a  proper  conception  of  the  great  sacrifice 
which  has  opened,  to  the  human  family,  the  way  to 
immortality. 

Biilt. 

Deui.  18.  15—19  a  prophet  to  be  raised  np  In  Israel  like  unto 

Moses. 

FsaJm  22.  several  prophecies  concerning  Christ. 

69.  20,  21  in  my  thirst  they  gave  me  vinegar  to  drink, 

118.  22, 23  the  stone  vrhich  the  builders  rejected.  26. 

I%a.  7.  14  a  virgin  shall  conceive  and  bear  a  son. 

9.  2  the  people  that  sat  in  darkness  have  seen  a  great  light.  6,  7. 

42.  1  he  shall  bring  forth  judgment  to  the  Gentiles.  8,  4. 

53.  3  he  is  despised  and  rejected.  4,  5,  7,  8,  9, 11, 12. 

Mic.  6.  2  of  thee  shall  he  come  forth  that  is  to  be  ruler  in  Israel. 

Zech.  9.  9  just  and  lowly  and  sitting  on  an  ass.  10. 

11.  12  so  they  weighed  for  my  price  thirty  pieces  of  silver. 

Acts  3.  22,  23  he  that  will  not  hear  that  prophet  shall  be  cut  off. 

33ook  fif  IKormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  4,  5  six  hundred  years  after  Lehi  left  Jerusalem 


Messiah  should  come. 
12.  4—4  a  great  da 
appeux  to  th«  K^liltes. 


12.  4—4  a  great  destruction  to  take  place  before  Christ  should 


8o  CHRIST'S    SECOND   COMING. 

19.  10  the  God  of  Abraham  yieldeth  himself  up. 

11, 12  at  his  death  Christ  shall  manifest  himself  to  the  house  of 
lerael. 

2  Nephi  9.  5  he  suffered  himself  to  become  subject  to  meu  in 
the  flesh,  that  all  men  might  be  subject  to  him. 

10.  3  expedient  that  Christ  should  come  among  the  miore 
wicked  part  of  the  world. 

2).  26  we  talk  of  Christ,  rejoice  in  Christ,  prophesy  of  Christ, 
preach  of  Christ. 

26.  24  he  layeth  down  his  life  that  he  may  draw  all  men  to  him, 

Mos.  3.  5—10  the  Lord  came  among  the  children  of  men,  was 
crueilied  and  rose  from  the  dead,  that  a  righteous  judgment  might 
come  on  them.  13, 15. 

4.  2  Jesus,  the  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  who  shall  come 
among  men. 

13.  83— 35  IMoses  and  all  the  prophets  since  the  world  began, 
prophesy  of  Christ. 

15.  1—11  God,  himself,  shall  come  down  among  the  children  of 
men. 

Alma  39.  18, 19  as  necessary  that  the  plan  ot  salvation  should 
be  known  before,  as  well  as  after  the  coming  of  Christ. 

Hel.  14.  12  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  the  Creator  of  heaven 
and  earth. 

3  Nephi  1.  9—14  Christ  made  known  to  Nephi,  that,  on  the  mor- 
row he  would  come  into  the  world. 

20.  23  the  prophet  of  whom  Moses  spake  was  Jesus  Christ. 
Ether  3.  16  Christ  said  to  the  brother  of  Jared,  as  I  appear  to 

ihee  in  the  spirit,  so  will  I  appear  to  my  people  in  the  flesh. 

^Bo^triiue  anlr  d^objertaitlier. 

Sec.  20.  26,  27  not  only  those  who  believe  after  he  comes,  but 
all  those  from  the  beginning,  as  well  as  those  who  shall  come 
alter. 

76.  39  who  was  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father  before  the  worlds 
were  made. 


CHRIST'S    SECOND    COMING. 


Christ's  first  coming  attracted  comparatively  little 
attention.  He  was  born  a  helpless  infant,  under 
very  humble  circumstances.  Through  the  ministra- 
tion of  an  angei,  a  few  shepherds  rejoiced  over  his 


CHRIST'S   SECOND   COMING.  8l 

advent,  and  some  wise  men,  who  must  have  known 
of,  and  believed  in  prophecies  concerning  him,  visited 
and  made  presents  to  him.  They  were  warned  to 
leave  the  country  in  a  private  manner,  on  account  of 
the  evil  designs  of  Herod.  He  grew  up  in  .obscurity, 
performed  his  labors  in  the'  ministry,  in  affliction  and 
persecution  and  apparently,  to  men,  died  the  death  of 
a  malefactor. 

At  his  second  appearance  he  will  come  ^'With 
clouds;  and  every  eye  shall  see  him,  and  they  also 
which  pierced  him;  and  all  kindreds  of  the  earth 
shall  wail  because  of  him;  "  Rev.  1,7.  **  Behold  the 
Lord  cometh  with  ten  thousand  of  his  saints,  to 
execute  judgment  upon  all;"  Jtide  14,  15.  '^  He 
shall  have  dominion  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the 
river  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth;"  Psabn  72.8. 
'^Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before  him;  all 
nations  shall  serve  him;"  verse  11.  ^^The  Son  of 
Man  shall  come  down  in  heaven,  clothed  in  the 
brightness  of  his  glory,  to  meet  the  kingdom  of  God 
which  is  set  up  on  the  earth;  "  Doc,  &^  Gov.  65.  5. 

When  will  Christ  come  in  his  glory  and  power? 
This  question  many  millions  of  the  human  family 
have  asked,  and  the  query  still  remains  unanswered. 
Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  ''  Be  ye  therefore  ready 
also:  for  the  Son  of  Man  cometh  at  an  hour  when  ye 
think  not;  "  Luke  12.  40.  '^  But  the  day  of  the  Lord 
will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night;"  2  PeL  3.  10. 
"  But  the  hour  and  the  day  no  man  knoweth,  neither 
the  angels  in  heaven,  nor  shall  they  know  until  he 
comes;  "  Doc.  &^  Gov.  49.  7. 

The  Lord  has  not  told  us  that  there  shall  be  no 
period  of  time  designated  in  which  he  will  come,  but 
that  neither  the  day  nor  the  hour  shall  be  known. 
Had  we  a  correct  chronology  we  might,  perhaps,  ap- 
proximate very  closely  to  the  year,  for  according  to 
Sec.  77.  12,  it  will  be  in  the  beginning  of  the  seventh 
thousand  years.  It  will  be  a  time  of  destruction  for 
the  wicked  ;  '^  The  Lord  shall  punish  the  host  of  the 
high  ones  that  are  on  high,  and  the  kings  of  the 
earth  upon  the  earth;  "  Isa.  24.  21.  "The  Lord  who 
shall  come  down  upon  the  world  with  a  curse  to 
6 


82  CHRIST'S   SECOND   COMING. 

judgment;  yea,  upon  all  the  nations  that  forget  God, 
and  upon  all  the  ungodly  among  you;  "  Doc.  (Sr*  Cov, 

There  will  be  great  commotion  and  changes  in 
the  elements;  "  Tne  foundations  of  the  earth  do 
shake.  The  earth  is  utterly  broken  down,  the  earth 
is  clean  dissolved,  the  earth  is  moved  exceedingly. 
The  earth  shall  reel  to  and  fro  like  a  drunkard,  and 
shall  be  removed  like  a  cottage;  and  the  transgres- 
sions thereof  shall  be  heavy  upon  it;  and  it  shall  fall, 
and  not  rise  again;  "  Isa.  24.  18 — 20. 

The  fulfilment  of  the  prophecies  and  the  signs  of 
the  times  indicate  that  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man 
is  nigh  at  hand.  The  Lord  through  Joseph,  the  Seer, 
also  informs  us  that  this  is  the  case.  "  Not  many 
days  hence  and  the  earth  shall  tremble  and  reel  to 
and  fro  as  a  drunken  man,  and  the  sun  shall  hide  his 
face,  and  shall  refuse  to  give  light,  and  the  moon 
shall  be  bathed  in  blood,  and  the  stars  shall  become 
exceeding  angry,  and  shall  cast  themselves  down 
as  a  fig  that  falleth  from  off  a  fig  tree;  '^  Doc,  &^ 
Cov.  88.  87. 

Israel  requested  Moses,  when  around  Mount 
Horeb,  that  they  might  no  more  hear  the  voice  of  the 
Lord,  nor  see  his  glory,  lest  they  should  die.  They 
had  not  faith  to  behold  his  presence,  and  the  law 
of  carnal  commandments  was  given  them.  ^  When 
they  were  about  to  enter  into  the  land  of  their  inherit- 
tance,  Moses  rehearsed  these  things  to  them,  and  re- 
peated what  the  Lord  had  said  to  him  concerning  a 
future  prophet:  "  I  will  raise  them  up  a  prophet  from 
among  their  brethren,  like  unto  thee,  and  will  put  my 
words  in  his  mouth;  and  he  shall  speak  unto  them  all 
that  I  shall  command  him.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass, 
that  whosoever  will  not  hearken  unto  my  words  which 
he  shall  speak  in  my  name,  I  will  require  it  of  him;  " 
Deut.  18.  18,  19.  The  Book  of  Mormon  informs  us 
that  this  prophet  was  Jesus  Christ:  ''  Behold,  I  am 
he  of  whom  Moses  spake,  saying,  A  prophet  shall 
the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  unto  you  of  your  breth- 
ren, like  unto  me;  "  3  Nephi^o.  23. 

Peter,  when  he  reproved  the  Jews  for  kllHng  the' 


CHRIST'S   SECOND    COMING.  83 

"  Prince  of  life,"  repeated  this  prophecy,  rendering 
the  latter  part  of  it  a  little  plainer:  *'Every  soul,  which 
will  not  hear  that  Prophet  shall  be  cut  oft' from  among 
the  people;"  Ac/s  3.  22,  23.  It  is  evidentfrom  verses 
19 — 21,  that  the  time  when  those  who  would  not  hear 
that  prophet  should  be  cut  oif,  would  be  at  the  time  of 
the  restitution  of  all  things,  when  he  whose  right  it  is 
shall  reign,  and  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  be- 
come the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ. 

The  prophet  Joseph  says,  "  I  was  once  praying 
very  earnestly  to  know  the  time  of  the  coming  of  the 
Son  of  Man,  when  I  heard  a  voice  repeat  the  follow- 
ing— 'Joseph,  my  son,  if  thou  livest  until  thou  art 
eighty-five  years  old,  thou  shalt  see  the  face  of  the 
Son  of  Man:  therefore  let  this  suffice,  and  trouble 
me  no  more  on  this  matter.'  I  was  left  thus,  without 
being  able  to  decide  whether  this  coming  referred  to 
the  beginning  of  ihe  millennium  or  to  some  previous 
appearing,  or  whether  I  should  die  and  thus  see  his 
face.  1  believe  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  will 
not  be  any  sooner  than  that  time;  "  Doc.  Sr^  Cov.  130. 
14—17. 

"I  have  asked  of  the  Lord  concerning  his  coming; 
and  while  asking  the  Lord,  he  gave  me  a  sign  and 
said,  '  In  the  days  of  Noah  I  set  a  bow  in  the  hea* 
vens  as  a  sign  and  token  that  m  any  year  that  the 
bow  should  be  seen  the  Lord  would  not  come;  but 
there  should  be  seed  time  and  harvest  during  that 
year;  but  whenever  you  see  the  bow  withdrawn,  it 
shall  be  a  token  that  there  shall  be  famine,  pestilence, 
and  great  distress  among  thv  nations,  and  that  the 
coming  of  the  Messiah  is" not  li^tr  distant.'      *      *      * 

"  I  also  prophesy,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  that 
Christ  WILL  NOT  come  in  forty  years;  and  if 
God  ever  spoke  by  my  mouth,  he  will  not  come  in  that 
length  of  time.  Brethren,  when  you  go  home,  write 
this  down,  that  it  may  be  remembered.  *  *  * 
Jesus  Christ  never  did  reveal  to  any  man  the  precise 
time  that  he  would  come;  "  His,  of  J,  Smithy  March 
10,  1844. 


84  CHRIST'S   SECOND    COMING. 

Job  19.  25  he  shall  stand  in  the  latter  day  upon  tlie  earth. 

Psalm  50.  3—5  our  God  shall  come  and  sliall  not  keep  silence. 

Matt.  16.  27  the  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father.  Chap.  25.  31— 4B 

Acts  1.  11  this  same  Jesus  which  is  taken  up  from  you  into 
heaven. 

1  Tliess.  3. 13  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all 
his  Saints. 

Heh.  9.  28  shall  he  appear  the  second  time,  witliout  sin  unto 
salvation. 

1  Peter  4.  13  that  when  his  glory  shall  be  revealed  ye  may  be 
glad. 

1  John  2.  28  and  not  be  ashamed  before  lum  at  his  coming. 

3.  2  when  he  shall  appear  we  shall  be  like  him. 

Book  of  JHormoTt. 

3  Nejphi  2G.  3  Christ  expounded  all  things  from  the  beginning 
to  the  time  he  shall  come  in  his  glory. 

28.  7  the  three  disciples  to  remain  until  Christ  come  in  his 
glory. 

29.  2  ye  need  not  say  that  the  Lord  delays  his  coming. 

j@octrtnt  aitJr  (fToI^ntaiTtjEf. 

Sec.  33.  17, 18  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  I  come  quickly. 
34.  G  preparing  the  way  of  the  Lord  for  his  second  coming, 
»  35.  15  the  poor  and  the* meek  shall  be  looking  for  my  coming. 
45.  38—44  shall  be  looking  tor  the  coming  ot  the  Son  of  Man. 
74,  75  all  nations  shall  be  afraid  because  of  the  glory  of  the 
Lord. 


See  Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,  J.  of  D.,  Vol.  i8,  pa  ire  57. 

"     I5^     "    53- 
*•  "    W.    Woodruff,  J,  of  D.,   Vol.  15,  page  2^5. 

History  oj  J.  Smith,  April  (5,  1843. 


THE   SCATTERING   OF    ISRAEL.  85 


THE  SCATTERING  OF  ISRAEL. 


During  the  administration  of  Moses,  the  Lord 
promised  Israel,  conditionally,  many  blessings  and 
curses.  The  former  if  they  were  obedient  to  his  com- 
mandments, the  latter  if  they  were  rebellious.  These 
promises  were,  in  their  nature,  prophetic.  Evidently, 
no  man,  unless  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  was 
Moses,  could  have  thought  of  blessings  and  curses  so 
varied  and  comprehensive  in  their  nature,  much  less 
have  spoken  and  recorded  them. 

The  subject  of  the  scattering  of  Israel  is  histori- 
cal, and  needs  to  be  well  understood,  in  order  to 
comprehend  the  great  work  of  their  gathering  in  the 
latter  times.  A  moderate  comprehension  of  the  scat- 
tering of  Israel  requires  much  careful  study  of  their 
history  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  as  written  by  that 
eminent  Jewish  historian,  Josephus,  a  general  knowl- 
edge of  history,  and  of  the  many  prophecies  yet  to  be 
fufhlled  concerning  them. 

If  a  complete  history  of  the  house  of  Israel  were 
written,  it  would  be  the  history  of  histories,  the  key 
of  the  world's  history  for  the  past  twenty  centuries. 
The  student  is  particularly  recommended  to  study  the 
last  chapters  of  Deuteronomy^  from  the  beginning  of 
the  twenty- seventh  to  the  end  of  the  book. 

The  scattering  of  the  seed  of  Joseph,  among  all 
nations,  was  foreshadowed  in  the  blessing  of  his 
father,  Jacob:  *' Joseph  is  a  fruitful  bough,  even  a 
fruitful  bough  by  a  well,  wliose  branches  run  over  the 
wall;  "  Cen.  49.  22. 

A  terrible  prophetic  picture  of  the  afflictions 
which  the  Lord  would  heap  upon  Israel,  is  drawn  by 
Moses  in  the  twenty-sixth  chapter  of  Leviticus,  If 
persistently  disobedient,  they  were  to  be  scattered 
among  all  nations  and  suffer  great  afflictions  in  the 
lands  of  their  enemies. 


86  THE    SCATTERING  OF   ISRAEL. 

The  prophet  Abijah  said  to  the  wife  of  Jeroboam, 
**  The  Lord  shall  smite  Israel,  as  a  reed  is  shaken  in 
the  water,  and  he  shall  root  up  Israel  out  of  this  good 
land,  which  he  gave  to  their  fathers,  and  shall  scatter 
them  beyond  the  river;  "  i  Kings  14.  15.  This  pro- 
phecy was  fulfilled  when  the  ten  tribes  were  carried 
into  captivity  by  the  king  of  Assyria  721,  B.  C;  2 
Kings  17.  In  the  Apocrypha,  the  prophet  Esdras 
states  that  these  ten  tribes  went  a  year  and  a  halt 
journey  into  the  north  country;  2  Esdras  13.  39 — 45. 
That  many  remained  is  evident  from  nersesAfZ  and  49 
of  the  same  chapter. 

The  great  historian  of  Israel,  Josephus,  who  wrote 
nearly  800  years  after  the  captivity  of  the  ten  tribes, 
corroborates  this  view  of  the  subject.  Speaking  of 
the  return  of  the  Jews  under  Esdras,  he  says: 
*M\Iany  of  them  took  their  ellects  with  them,  and 
came  to  Babylon,  as  very  desirous  of  going  down  to 
Jerusalem,  but  then  the  entire  body  of  the  people  of 
Israel  remained  in  that  country,  wherefore  there  are 
but  two  tribes  in  Asia  and  Europe  subject  to  the  Ro- 
mans, while  the  ten  tribes  are  beyond  the  Euphrates 
till  now,  and  are  an  immense  multitude,  and  not  to  be 
estimated  by  numbers;"  Ant.  B.  11.  C  5.  Over 
twenty-six  centuries  these  scattered  tribes  of  Israel, 
which  Josephus  declared,  1800  years  ago,  were  an 
immense  multitude  in  Asia,  have  continued  to  mix 
up  with  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

The  second  great  scattering  of  Israel  was  brought 
about  by  the  Babylonish  captivity.  The  Lord  said 
through  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  '^  I  will  give  all  Judah 
into  the  hand  of  the  king  of  Babylon ;  "  20.  4.  There 
is  an  account  of  the  fulfilment  of  this  prophecy  in  2 
Kings,  chapters  24  and  25.  Jerusalem  was  deso- 
lated and  only  the  poor  left  to  till  the  land. 

The  Jews,  like  the  ten  tribes  before  them,  were 
scattered  among  the  nations  of  Asia.  In  Ezra^  Chap. 
2,  we  have  an  account  of  those  who  returned  to  build 
the  waste  places  of  Judah,  but  multitudes  of  them 
remained  in  their  scattered  condition,  as  is  evident 
from  the  book  of  Esther.  Some  nine  years  after  the 
completion  of  the  term  of  their  captivity,  they  were 


THE   SCATTERING   OF   ISRAEL.  87 

scattered  from  India  to  Ethiopia,  through  the   127 
provinces  of  the  Persian  empire;  8.  9. 

Jeremiah  prophesied  the  entire  desolation  of 
Judah;  "Judah  shall  be  carried  away  captive  all  of 
it,  it  shall  be  wholly  carried  away  captive;"  13.  19. 
It  was  nearly  600  years  from  the  consummation  of  the 
Babylonish  captivity  to  the  fulfilment  of  this  pro- 
phecy, by  the  final  destruction  of  the  Jews,  as  a 
nation,  by  the  Romans,  when  a  remnant  of  some 
97, coo  were  sold  into  slavery  in  the  cities  of  the 
Roman  empire,  and  were  scattered  wherever  the 
caprice  of  their  masters  led  them. 

During  this  period,  from  the  Babylonish  captivity 
to  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  the  Jews  suffered 
much  from  their  enemies,  and  many  thousands  were 
sold  into  slavery.  A  few  references  to  Josephus  will 
assist  to  comprehend  this  subject: 

Ant,  B.  II.  C,  5.  Miserable  condition  of  the 
Jews  as  represented  to  the  prophet  Nehemiah. 

B,  II.  C.  6.  Haman  said  to  the  king  of  Persia, 
'*  There  is  a  certain  wicked  nation  (the  Jews),  and 
it  is  dispersed  over  all  the  habitable,  earth  that  is 
under  thy  dominion." 

B.  12.  C.  I.  The  first  Ptolemy  took  a  great  many 
captives  in  Judea  and  carried  them  into  Egypt. 

B.  12.  C.  2.  The  second  Ptolemy  liberated  f2o,ooo 
Jews  who  where  in  bondage  in  Egypt. 

B.  12.  C.  3.  Antiochus  set  free  all  the  Jews  who 
had  been  carried  captive. 

B,  12.  C,  4.  The  Samaritans  were  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition,  and  much  distressed  the  Jews,  cutting 
off  parts  of  their  land,  and  carrying  oflf  slaves. 

B,  12.  C  5.  The  daily  sacrifice  was  taken  away, 
and  10,000  Jews  carried  captive. 

B.  14.  C.  7.  The  Jews  were  scattered  over  the 
habitable  earth.  Cassius,  the  Roman  general,  car- 
ried 30,000  Jews  captive. 

B.  14.  C  II.  Four  Jewish  cities  sold  into  slavery 
for  taxes. 

i5.  15.  C.  3.  Not  a  few  ten  thousands  of  Jews 
that  dwelt  about  Babylonia. 


88 


THE    SCATTERING   OF   ISRAEL. 


B.  1 6.  C  2.  A  great  multitude  of  Jews  dwelt  in 
the  cities  of  Ionia. 

B,  i6.  C.  6.  The  cities  of  Asia  and  Lybia  ill- 
treated  the  Jews.  The  northern  part  of  Africa  was 
then  called  Lybia. 

These  references  to  Josephus,  and  their  contexts, 
well  considered,  will  greatly  assist  the  student  in 
forming  a  proper  idea  of  the  scattered  condition  of 
the  Jews  about  the  commencement  of  the  Christian 
era. 

We  have  no  knowledge  of  the  location  or  condi- 
tion of  that  part  of  the  ten  tribes  who  went  into  the 
north  country. 

B.  C.  6oo,  a  colony  left  Jerusalem,  under  one 
Lehi,  to  people  the  western  hemisphere.  Eleven 
years  after,  it  was  followed  by  another  under  the 
direction  of  Mulek.  Their  descendants  have  scat- 
tered over  the  American  continent  from  Cape  Horn 
to  the  Arctic  Sea. 

This  branch  of  the  house  of  Israel  may  truly  be 
said  to  be  scattered  over  half  the  globe.  The  Book 
of  Mormon,  and  the  monumental  ruins  they  have  left 
on  the  land,  give  us  ail  the  information  we  have  of 
them  down  to  the  year  1492,  A.  D.,when  Christopher 
Columbus  discovered  America. 

Since  that  time,  their  history  forms  a  part  of  the 
general  history  of  the  continent,  which  is  a  record  of 
the  fulfilment  of  many  of  the  prophecies,  in  the 
Bible  and  Book  of  Mormon,  concerning  the  scatter- 
ing of  Israel. 

Belli.  28.  37  thou  shalt  become  a  proverb  and  a  by-word. 

64  Israel  to  be  scattered  from  one  end  of  the  earth  even  unto 
the  other.  Chap.  32.  26. 

Psalm  106.  27  to  overthrow  their  seed  also  among  the  njition-. 

Isa.  5.  13  my  people  have  gone  into  captivity. 

10.  3  what  will  ye  do  in  tlie  day  of  visitation? 

32.  14  the  multitude  of  the  city  shall  be  left. 

42.  24  who  gave  Jacob  for  a  spoil  and  Israel  to  the  robboiv. 

64.  10  Zion  is  a  wilderness,  Jerusalem  a  desolation. 

Jer.  5. 15—18  I  will  bring  a  nation  upon  you  from  afar.  Dent. 
28.  49—57. 

6.  8— )2  their  houses,  liekls  and  wives  shciU  be  tunujd  to  olliers 


THE    SCATTERING   OF   ISRAEL.  89 

7.  15  and  I  will  cast  you  out  of  my  sight. 

8.  3  which  vemain  m  all  the  places  whither  I  have  driven 
them. 

9.  11  I  will  make  the  cities  of  Judah  desolate.  16. 

10.  22  to  make  the  cities  of  Judah  desolate.  25. 

15 . 4 1  will  cause  them  to  be  removed  into  all  kingdoms  of  the 
earth. 

?4.  17  to  be  removed  into  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth. 

Ezek.  2'- ».  23  I  Avould  disperse  them  through  the  countries.  Chap. 
22.  15.     C/M}).  U.  G.     Chap.  30.  19. 

JIos.  7.  8.  Ephraim  hath  mixed  himself  among  the  people. 

Joel  3.  2  the  Lord  will  plead  with  all  nations  who  have  scat- 
tered his  people. 

Amos  7.  17  Israel  shall  surely  go  into  captivity. 

9.  9  I  will  sift  the  house  of  Israel  among  all  nations. 
Mic.  3.  12  Zion  shall  be  ploughed  as  a  field. 

Znch.  7.  14  I  scattered  them  with  a  whirlwind  among  all  na- 
tions. 

10.  9  I  will  sow  them  among  the  people. 

Matt.  23.  38  your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate.    Luke  13.  35. 
Jaiiies  1.  1  to  the  twelve  tribes  which  are  scattered  abroad. 

Book  of  J^ormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  12—14  the  house  of  Israel  to  be  scattered  over  all 
the  face  of  the  earth.    Chap.  14.  14.    Chap.  22.  3. 

13.  14  the  seed  of  the  brethren  of  Nephi  to  be  scattered  and 
smitten  of  the  Gentiles. 

39  other  books  to  come  forth  to  the  convincing  of  the  Jews  who 
were  scattered  o\er  the  face  of  the  whole  earth. 

19.  14  they  shall  wander  in  the  flesh,  and  perish,  and  become  a 
hiss  and  a  by-word. 

22.  4  the  more  part  of  all  the  tribes  have  been  led  away  and 
are  scattered,  to  and  fro,  on  the  isles  of  the  sea. 

5  the  Jews  to  be  scattered  among  all  nations,  because  they 
hardened  their  hearts  against  the  Holy  One  of  Israel.  2  Xephi  10. 
5,  6,  22. 

7  the  Lord  shall  raise  up  a  mighty  nation  in  this  land,  and  by 
them  shall  our  seed  be  scattered. 

2  Nephi  6.  8  the  Lord  showed  Jacob  that  those  at  Jerusalem 
had  been  slain  and  scattered.  11. 

25.  14, 15  the  final  destruction  of  Jerusalem  foretold. 

1()  the  Jews  to  be  scourged  until  ihey  believe  in  the  Messiah. 

Hel.  15.  12  the  Lamanites  to  be  hunted,  and  smitten,  and  scat- 
tered. 

oX('j)hilO.  7  the  places  of  your  dwellings  shall  become  deso- 
late, until  the  time  of  the  fulfilling  of  the  covenant  to  your 
fathers. 

IC).  4  the  remnant  of  their  seed  who  shall  be  scattered  on  the 
face  of  the  earth. 

20.  27  which  blessings  upon  the  Gentiles  shall  make  them 
mi.irlUy,  unto  the  scattering  of  my  people.    Mormon  5.  9,  20. 

Mormon  5.  15  this  people  shall  be  scattered  and  become  dark, 
Ether  13.  11  they  are  they  who  were  scattered  and  gathered 
from  the  four* quarters  of  the  earth,  and  from  the  north  country. 


go  GATHERING   OF    ISRAEL. 


GATHERING  OF  ISRAEL. 


It  will  appear  to  the  most  ca§ual  reader,  that  the 
Gathering  of  Israel  is  predicated  on  its  having  been 
scattered.  That  part  of  the  subject  needs  to  be  well 
studied,  to  obtain  a  proper  conception  of  the  great 
work  of  gathering  in  the  latter  times. 

As  general  as  was  the  scattering  of  Israel  so  must 
the  gathering  be.  If  the  dispersion  was  over  all  the 
earth,  and  among  all  nations,  so  the  gathering  must 
be  out  of  all  nations,  and  from  all  parts  of  the  earth. 

When  we  reflect  that  it  is  thirty-two  centuries  since 
the  enemies  of  Israel  began  to  oppress  them  in  the 
land  of  Canaan,  that  about  one-third  of  the  time  they 
were  a  people  in  that  land,  they  were,  more  or  less,  in 
bondage  to  their  enemies;  that  seven  hundred  years 
before  the  coming  of  Christ  the  ten  tribes  were  scat- 
tered throughout  western  Asia;  that  we  have  no 
record  that  any  have  as  yet  returned  to  the  land  of 
their  inheritance;  that  nearly  600  years  before  Christ 
the  Babylonish  captivity  took  place,  and  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  Book  of  Esther  only  a  part  of  the  Jews 
ever  returned,  but  were  scattered  through  the 
127  provinces  of  the  Persian  empire;  that  Asia  was 
the  hive  from  which  swarmed  the  nomadic  tribes 
who  overran  Europe;  that  at  the  destruction  of  Jerusa- 
lem by  the  Romans  the  Jews  were  scattered  over  the 
known  world;  we  may  well  ask  the  question,  Does 
not  Israel  to-day  constitute  a  large  proportion  of  the 
human  family?  With  this  comprehensive  view  of 
the  subject  of  the  scattering,  we  the  better  understand 
such  passages  as  the  following,  '*  I  will  gather  the 
remnant  of  my  flock  out  of  all  countries  whither  I 
have  driven  them;  "  Jer.  23.  3.  "  Wherefore,  he  will 
bring  them  again  out  of  captivity,  and  they  shall  be 
gathered  together  to  the   lands  of  their  inheritance; 


GATHERING   OF    ISRAEL.  9I 

and  they  shall  be  brought  out  of  obscurity,  and  out 
of  darkness;"  i  Nephi  22.  12. 

Our  Savior  had  a  clear  conception  of  the  magni- 
tude of  this  gathering  when  he  said,  *'He  shall  send 
his  angels  with  a  great  sound  of  a  trumpet,  and 
they  shall  gather  together  his  elect  from  the  four 
winds,  from  one  end  of  heaven  to  the  other;  "  Matt. 
24.  31. 

"  And  Jeru.^lem  shall  be  trodden  down  of  the 
Gentiles,  until  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled;" 
Luke  2[.  24.  That  is  until  the  Gentile  rule  shall 
wane  before  the  growing  power  of  Israel,  when, 
''  Israel  shall  be  saved  in  the  Lord  with  an  everlast- 
ing salvation;"  Isa.  45.  17.  When  '*  They  shall 
take'them  captives,  whose  captives  they  were;  and 
they  shall  rule  over  their  oppressors;  "  14.  2. 

Then  will  the  promise  made  to  Abraham  be  fully 
realized  by  his  children,  *'And  thy  seed  shall  possess 
the  gate  of  his  enemies;"  Geii.  22.17.  Then  will 
Abraham  be  the  heir  of  the  world,  *^  Through  the 
righteousness  of  faith;  "  Ro7n,  4.  13. 

It  is  evident  from  the  Book  of  Mormon,  that  the 
Jews,  as  well  as  other  portions  of  the  house  of  Israel, 
will  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  and  accept  the  Gospel, 
before  they  are  gathered  to  the  land  of  their  inherit- 
ance. 

The  first  Nephi,  about  600  years  before  the  fina\ 
dispersion  of  the  Jews,  recorded  the  following  very 
comprehensive  prophecy  about  their  gathering:  *^And 
after  they  have  been  scattered,  and  the  Lord  God 
hath  scourged  them  by  other  nations,  for  the  space 
of  many  generations,  yea,  even  down  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  until  they  shall  be  persuaded  to 
believe  in  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  atone- 
ment, which  is  infinite  for  all  mankind;  and  when  that 
day  shall  come,  that  they  shall  believe  in  Christ,  and 
worship  the  Father  in  his  name,  with  pure  hearts  and 
clean  hands,  and  look  not  forward  any  more  for  an- 
other Messiah,  then,  at  that  time,  the  day  will  come 
that  jt  must  needs  be  expedient  that  they  should  be- 
lieve these  things,  and  the  Lord  will  set  his  hand  again 
the  second  time  to  restore  his  people  from  their  lost 


9-  GATHERING   OF    ISRAEL. 

and  fallen  state.  Wherefore,  he  will  proceed  to  do  a 
marvellous  work  and  a  wonder  among  the  children  of 
men;  "  2  Nephi  25.  15,  16,  17. 


Beut.  30.  3  Lord  will  gather  Israel  from  all  nations  whither  he 
has  scattered  them.  , 

iVe/i.  1.  9  the  Lord  will  gather  those  that  are  scattered  from  the 
uttermost  part  of  heaven. 

Fmhn  50.  5  gather  my  Saints  together  who  have  made  a  cove- 
nant with  me  by  sacrifice. 

181.  2.  2  in  the  last  days  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall 
be  established  in  the  tops  of  the  mountains. 

5.  26,  27  he  will  lift  up  an  ensign  to  the  nations. 

10.  20,  22  the  remnant  shall  return,  even  the  remnant  of  Jacob. 

11.  11—16  set  his  hand  the  second  time  to  recover  the  remnant. 
18.  1—3  see  ye  when  he  liftelh  up  an  ensign  on  the  mountains. 
27.  12, 13  ye  shall  be  gathered  one  by  one. 

29.  22,  23  Jacob  shall  not  now  be  ashamed. 

35.  10  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion. 

40.  2  speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jerusalem.  9, 11. 

43.  5,  6  I  will  bring  thy  seed  from  the  east. 

9  let  all  nations  be  gathered  together,  let  the  people  be  assem- 
bled. 

49.  12  these  shall  come  from  far,  from  the  north  and  from  the 
west. 

22  lift  up  my  hand  to  the  Gentiles,  and  set  up  my  standard  to 
the  people. 

2o  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing  fathers. 

51.  3, the  Lord  will  comfort  Zion. 

11  ihe  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return. 

52.  9—12  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people,  he  hath  redeemed 
Jerusalem. 

54.  7  with  great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee. 
56.  1-8  the  stranger  that  keepeth  his  hand  from  doing  evil, 
will  the  Lord  gather  with  the  outca^sts  of  Israel. 
GO.  3  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy  light. 
4  thy  sons  shall  come  from  far.  5,  6. 10,  16. 

61.  4  they  shall  repair  the  desolations  of  many  generations. 

62.  7  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth. 

66.  20  they  shall  bring  your  brethren  out  of  all  nations. 
Jer.  3.  14  take  one  of  a  city  and  two  of  a  family. 

17  all  nations  shall  be  gathered  to  Jerusalem. 

18  the  house  of  Judah  shall  walk  with  the  house  of  Israel. 

16.  14—16  it  shall  no  more  be  said,  the  Lord  li\'eth  that  brought 
up  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt.  I  will  send  for  many 
fishers. 

23.  8  Lord  liveth  which  led  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  the 
north  country. 

25.  34  the  days  of  your  dispersions  are  accomplished. 

30.  3  I  will  bring  again  the  captivity  of  my  people.  10, 18. 

31.  8—14  I  will  bring  them  from  the  north  country,  and  gather 


GATHERING   OF    ISRAEL.  93 

them  from  the  coasts  of  the  south.    They  ^hall  come  with  weep- 
ing. 

32.  37—44  I  will  give  them  one  heart,  I  will  make  an  everlast- 
ing covenant  with  them. 

33.  9  Israel  shall  be  an  honor  to  me  before  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth.  14, 16. 

50.  4,  5  they  shall  ask  the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  faces  thither- 
ward. 

Ezek.  11.  17  I  will  assemble  you  out  of  the  countries. 

20.  34—42  in  my  holy  mountain  shall  the  house  of  Israel 
serve  me. 

28.  2")  when  I  shall  be  sanctified  in  Israel,  in  the  sight  of  the 
heathen. 

34.  11—31  Lord  will  deliver  his  sheep  out  of  all  places  where 
they  have  been  scattered  in  a  cloudy  and  dark  day. 

37.  21—28  Israel  shall  be  one  nation,  and  one  king  shall  reign 
over  them. 

Joel  2.  15, 16  blow  ye  the  trumpet  in  Zion,  gather  the  people. 
Zeph.  3.  19,  20  I  will  make  you  a  praise  among  all  people. 

Book  of  piormott. 

1  Nephi  10.  14  the  house  of  Israel  to  be  gathered  in. 

19.  15—17  then  will  be  remember  the  isles  of  the  sea.  ■ 

2  Nephi  6.  11  when  the  Jews  shall  come  to  a  knowledge  of  their 
Redeemer,  they  shall  be  gathered  again  to  the  lands  of  their  in- 
heritance. 

9.  2  when  they  shall  be  restored  to  the  true  church,  they  shall 
be  established  in  their  lands  of  promise. 

10.  7  when  they  believe  that  I  am  Christ,  I  have  covenanted 
with  their  fathers  that  they  shall  be  restored  to  the  lands  ot  their 
inheritance. 

3'>i.  7  8  the  Jews  shall  begin  to  believe  in  Christ,  and  to  gather. 

Jacob  6.  2  he  shall  set  his  hand  the  second  time  to  recover  his 
people. 

o  Nephi  5.  26  then  shall  they  know  their  Redeemer,  and  be 
gathered  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth. 

20.  29—33  the  Jews  shall  believe  In  Jesus  Christ,  then  will  the 
Father  gather  them  together  again. 

21.  1  a  sign  that  I  will  gather  in  my  people  from  their  long 
dispersion. 

26—28  at  that  day  shall  the  work  of  the  Father  commence 
among  all  the  dispei-sed  of  my  neople. 

Mormon  5.  14  the  record  01  tne  Nephites  to  go  to  the  Jews,  that 
they  may  believe  in  Christ 

ISottrim  antr  ((Tobtitantjsf. 

Sec.  29.  7,  8  be  gathered  in  one  place,  and  be  prepared  against 
the  day  of  tribulation. 

42.  36  be  gathered  in  one  when  I  shall  come  to  my  temple. 

45.  17  day  of  redemption  shall  come,  and  the  restoration  of 
BcattCred  Israel. 


94  GATHERING  OF   ISRAEL. 

25  but  shall  remain  until  the  time  ot  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled. 
43  and  the  remnant  shall  be  gathered  unto  this  place. 
69  there  shall  be  gathered  unto  it  out  of  every  nation. 

57.  1,  2  the  land  of  Missouri  consecrated  for  the  gathering  of 
the  Saints. 

58.  56  let  the  work  of  the  gathering  not  be  in  haste. 

63.  36  I  will  that  my  Saints  should  be  assembled  upon  the  land 
of  Zion. 

101.  13  and  they  that  }^.ave  been  scattered  sliall  be  gathered. 

20—22  the  Lord  will  ji)>point  the  places  for  the  gathering  of  his 
Saints. 

64—69  must  gather  my  people,  according  to  the  parable  of  the 
wheat  and  tares. 

105.  24  boast  not  of  faith  or  mighty  works,  but  carefully  gather 
togetlier. 

110.  11  Moses  delivered  the  keys  of  the  gathering  of  Israel. 

125.  2  let  them  gather  to  places  I  shall  appoint,  by  my  servant 
Joseph. 

183.  7  go  ye  out  from  Babylon,  gather  ye  out  from  the  nations. 

See  Sermon  by  y.  Smith,  y,  of  D.,   Vol.  6,  page  2jy, 
'*  "2),   Young,         "  "     2,     "     266. 

(t  .»         <i  «•  '•     /^,  "     226, 

'*  "  y.  Taylor,  "  "     ^9,  "     150. 

'•  O.  Pratt,  "  "     /(?,  "        16. 

"  '*  G.  Q.  Cannon,  "  "     /j,  "     202. 

O.  Spencer's  Letters  to  Rev,    IVm.  Crowel,  No.  10. 

Article,  Mil.  Sf,n-,   Vol.    4,  pages  161  and  lyj. 

''     22,     "     J2i,jjg,j62,jjg. 
"       h'  J'  y-y  '^^^^-  ^l^^^'>   ^'^^'  33 y  pag^^  2og,  2g4f72^, 
440. 

by  I).  McR.,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  jS,  page  2g6, 
History  0/  y.  Smith,  April  2T^  1834. 


BOOK  OF  MORMON,  95 


BOOK    OF   MORMON— EVIDENCES   OP"   ITS 
DIVINE  AUTHENTICITY. 


In  order  that  the  predictions  of  the  ancient  pro- 
phets might  be  fulfilled,  it  was  necessary  that  a  book 
should  be  brought  forth  to  the  world  which  should  be 
a  record  of  truth.  This  book  must  also  come  forth 
from  the  earth. 

The  prophet  Enoch,  according  to  Bible  chro- 
nology, lived  969  3^ears  before  the  tlood. 

On  a  certain  occasion,  the  Lord  made  known  to 
him  many  things  that  should  transpire  a  short  period 
before  his  latter-day  coming.  He  said,  '^  Great  tribu- 
lation shall  be  among  the  children  of  men,  but  my 
people  will  I  preserve;  and  righteousness  will  I  send 
down  out  of  heaven ;  and  truth  will  I  send  forth  out 
of  the  earth,  to  bear  testimony  of  mine  Only  Begot- 
ten; and  righteousness  and  truth  wilW  cause  to 
sweep  the  earth  as  with  a  flood,  to  gather  out  mine 
own  elect  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth."  P.  of 
G,  P.y  page  21. 

The  Book  of  Mormon,  in  every  particular,  fulfils 
this 'very  ancient  prediction  of  Enoch's.  It  is  a  re- 
cord of  truth ;  it  was  brought  forth  from  the  earth ;  it 
bears  testimony  of  the  Only  Begotten  Son  of  God;  of 
his  birth,  death,  resurrection,  teachings,  and  ministra- 
tions among  the  Nephites.  Righteousness  has  been 
sent  down  out  of  heaven  by  the  restoration  of  the 
Priesthood,  with  all  its  authority,  ordinances,  and 
blessings,  through  which,  alone,  righteousness  can  be 
made  manifest. 

The  latter-day  gathering  of  Israel  has  been  inaug- 
urated, and  righteousness,  and  truth  are  sweeping 
the  earth  as  with  a  flood,  and  gathering  the  elect  from 
the  four  quarters  of  the  earth. 

This  wonderful  prophecy  of  Enoch's  was  reiter- 


96  BOOK  OF  MORMON. 

ated  by  prophets  who  lived  many  centuries  after  him. 
The  Psalmist  David,  who  lived  until  1015  B.  C,  men- 
tions this  event  in  connection  with  the  latter  days: 
''  Truth  shall  spring  out  of  the  earth;  and  righteous- 
ness shall  look  down  from  heaven;  "  Psahyis  85.  11. 

The  prophet  Isaiah,  also,  saw  in  prophetic  vision 
these  great  events  of  the  latter  days,  when  he  said: 
''Let  the  skies  pour  down  righteousness;  let  the 
earth  open  and  let  them  '* — that  is,  the  earth  and  the 
skies  together — "bring  forth  salvation;  "  45.  8. 

According  to  the  twenty-ninth  chapter  of  Isaiah^ 
there  was  to  be  a  people  who  like  Ariel,  or  Jerusa- 
lem, were  to  be  brought  down  and  they  should  speak  . 
out  of  the  ground,  their  speech  was  to  be  low  out  of 
the  dust. 

The  predictions  in  verses  i — 6  of  this  chapter 
have  been  fulfilled  in  every  particular,  in  the  history 
of  the  Nephites  and  in  the  coming  forth  of  their  rec- 
ord, the  Book  of  Mormon. 

For  an  account  of  the  fulfilment  of  many  of  the 
predictions  in   this   chapter,  see  P,  of  G.  F,^  pages 

49—54. 

Ezekiel's  prophecy,  in  chapter  yji  verses  16 — 20, 
concerning  the  sticks  of  Judah  and  Joseph,  is  literal- 
ly fulfilled  in  this  generation.  The  most  of  the  Lat- 
ter-day Saints  are  of  the  tribe  of  Ephraim,  the  son  of 
Joseph.  There  can  be  but  one  conclusion  with  re- 
gard to  the  Bible,  and  that  is,  that  it  is  the  stick  of 
Judah  referred  to  by  Ezekiel. 

The  stick  or  record  of  Joseph,  is  fitly  represented 
by  the  Book  of  Mormon,  which  is  a  record  of  the 
Nephites,  who  ar.e  descendants  of  Joseph  who  was 
sold  into  Egypt.  They  are  both,  to-day,  in  the  hands 
of  Ephraim. 

A  very  good  explanation  of  this  subject  13  con- 
tained in  2  Nephi^  chapter  3.  Lehi  was  rehearsing 
to  his  son  Joseph,  some  important  promises  which 
the  Lord  made  to  their  father,  Joseph,  who  was  sold 
into  Egypt.  The  special  promise  to  which  we  refer 
is  in  the  twelfth  verse. 

^'Wherefore,  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  shall  write;  and 
the  fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah  shall  write;  and  that 


BOOK   OF   MORMON.  97 

which  shall  be  written  by  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  and 
also  that  which  shall  be  written  by  the  fruit  of  the 
loins  of  Judah,  shall  grow  together,  unto  the  con- 
founding of  false  doctrines,  and  laying  down  of  con- 
tentions, and  estabhshing  peace  among  the  fruit  of 
thy  loins,  and  bringing  them  to  the  knowledge  of 
their  fathers  in  the  latter-days;  and  also  to  the 
knowledge  of  my  covenants,  saith  the  Lord." 

The  following  from  the  writings  of  O.  Pratt,  is 
very  appropriate  to  this  subject. 

"If  the  historical  parts  of  the  Book  of  Mormon 
be  compared  with  what  little  is  known  from  other 
sources,  concerning  the  history  of  ancient  America, 
there  will  be  found  much  evidence  to  substantiate  its 
truth  ;  but  there  cannot  be  found  one  truth  among  all 
the  gleanings  of  antiquity  that  clashes  with  the 
historical  truths  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 

"  If  the  prophetical  part  of  this  wonderful  book 
be  compared  with  the  prophetical  declarations  of  the 
Bible,  there  will  be  found  much  evidence  in  the  latter 
to  establish  the  truth  of  the  former.  But  though 
there  are  many  predictions  in  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
relating  to  the  great  events  of  the  last  days,  which 
the  Bible  gives  us  no  information  about,  yet  there  is 
nothing  in  the  predictions  of  the  Bible  that  contra- 
dicts in  the  least,  the  predictions  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon. 

^'  If  the  doctrinal  part  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  be 
compared  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  there 
will  be  found  the  same  perfect  harmony  which  we 
find  on  the  comparison  of  the  prophetical  parts  of  the 
two  books.  Although  there  are  many  points  of  the 
doctrine  of  Christ  that  are  far  more  plain  and  definite 
in  the  Book  of  Mormon  than  in  the  Bible,  and  many 
things  revealed  in  relation  to  doctrine  that  never 
could  be  fully  learned  from  the  Bible,  yet  there  are 
not  any  items  of  doctrine  in  the  two  sacred  books 
that  contradict  each  other,  or  clash  in  the  least. 

"  If  the  various  books  which  enter  into  the  collec- 
tion, called  the  Book  of  Mormon,  be  carefully  com- 
pared with  each  other,  there  will  be  found  nothing 
contradictory  in  history,  in  prophecy,  or  in  doctrine. 


98  BOOK   OF   MORMON. 

"  If  the  miracles  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  be  com- 
pared with  the  miracles  of  the  Bible,  there  cannot  be 
found  in  the  former  anything  that  would  be  more 
difficult  to  believe,  than  what  we  find  in  the  latter. 

**  If  we  compare  the  historical,  prophetical,  and 
doctrinal  parts  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  with  the 
great  truths  of  science  and  nature,  we  find  no  con- 
tradictions— no  absurdities — nothing  unreasonable. 
The  most  perfect  harmony,  therefore,  exists  between 
the  great  truths  revealed  in  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
and  all  other  known  truths,  whether  religious,  histori- 
cal, or  scientific."  Divine  Authenticity  of  B.  of  M,^ 
page  56. 

A  person  educated  in  the  doctrines  and  traditions 
of  modern  Christianity,  could  not  have  written  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  for  many  of  its  important  doctrines 
do  not  agree  with  those  of  the  Christian  sects. 

They  do  not  believe  in  the  ministry  of  angels,  in 
miracles,  in  signs,  in  dreams  and  in  visions.  The 
book  had  its  origin  in  those  things,  much  of  it.is  made 
up  of  an  account  of  them. 

Lehi,  the  most  prominent  patriarch  of  the  aborigi- 
nal American  race,  was  warned  by  an  angel  that 
Jerusalem  would  be  destroyed;  i  Nephi  i.  11,  13. 
That  he  might  not  be  destroyed  with  it,  the  Lord 
warned  him  in  a  dream  to  take  his  family  and  depart 
into  the  wilderness;  2.  2.  In  the  nineteenth  verse 
of  this  last  chapter,  the  Lord  spake  to  Nephi,  and 
blessed  him  on  account  of  his  great  faith. 

Nephi,  who  wrote  the  first  two  books  of  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  had  wonderful  visions  and  manifesta- 
tions. An  infidel,  or  deist,  having  no  faith  in  mani- 
festations from  God,  could  not  have  written  the  book; 
equally  impossible  that  it  could  have  been  written  by 
a  sectarian  Christian. 

Was  the  Book  of  Mormon  written  for  a  romance? 
It  would  spoil  the  interest  of  a  work  of  fiction,  for 
the  writer  to  commence  it  with  a  sketch  of  the  plan 
of  his  story.  Yet  the  two  books  of  Nephi,  which 
commence  the  Book  of  Mormon,  are  a  very  plain, 
prophetic  sketch  of  the  then  future  history  of  the 
people  of  America. 


BOOK  OF   MORMON.  99 

Besides,  what  writer  of  fiction  could  expect  to  in- 
terest the  literary  world  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
with  an  account  of  the  organization  of  a  church, 
on  the  American  continent,  exactly  after  the  pattern 
of  the  primitive  church  in  Asia,  with  advocating  bap- 
tism by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins,  the  gift 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  and 
with  an  almost  verbatim  repetition  of  Christ's  sermon 
on  the  Mount.  Such  a  fiction  would  be  wanting  in 
all  the  elements  of  modern  romance. 

Skeptics,  Christian  divines,  and  writers  of  ro- 
mance are  not  the  men  to  stake  their  reputation  on 
the  enunciation  of  such  principles  as  the  following: 
"  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved, 
and  he  that  believeth  not  and  is  not  baptized  shall  be 
damned."  ''Harlotry  is  the  most  abominable  of  all 
sins  in  the  sight  of  God,  except  it  be  the  sin  against 
the  Holy  (Ihost."  In  fact,  it  is  the  teaching  of  such 
pure  principles  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  that  makes 
it  so  very  unpopular  with  a  large  portion  of  man- 
kind. 

The  Book  of  Mormon,  as  a  whole,  must  be  either 
true  or  false.  If  false,  the  Bible  is  equally  so,  for 
there  is  no  antagonism  between  the  two. 

The  former  states  that  it  and  the  Bible  shall  grow 
together  for  the  confounding  of  false  doctrine  in  the 
latter  times.  The  writer  of  a  book  of  errors  would 
hardly  have  staked  his  reputation  on  the  fact  that  his 
book  was  an  evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  and 
vice  versa.  That  one  is  a  witness  ot  the  truth  of  the 
other  is  readily  evident  to  any  one  who  will  honestly 
compare  them. 

Written  by  different  authors,  under  very  different 
circumstances,  and  on  opposite  sides  of  the  globe, 
such  perfect  concordance  would  have  been  impossi- 
ble, unless  the  authors  had  all  been  actuated  by  the 
same  Spirit  of  divine  inspiration. 

The  admission  is  general  that  the  Bible  was  writ- 
ten and  compiled  on  th,e  Eastern  hemisphere,  and, 
more  or  less  continuously  through  a  period  of  some 
1500  years.  The  fact  is  generally  recognized  that 
the  Book  of  Mormon  was  written  on  the    Western 


lOO  BOOK   OF   MORMON. 

hemisphere,  and  by  those  who  had  nothing  to  do  in 
getting  up  the  Bible. 

The  chain  of  history  it  has  recorded;  the  princi- 
ples it  teaches;  its  anomalous  style  as  a  literary  pro- 
duction, and  its  truthfulness  as  a  prophetic  record, 
are  all  against  its  being  a  producton  of  modern 
times. 

As  an  ancient  record  Jt  contains  many  predictions 
of  prophets  and  seers  which  have  been  realized,  and 
many  others  which  are  now  having  a  remarkable  ful- 
filment. It  has  these  facts  in  favor  of  its  divine  ori- 
gin, as  well  as  the  Bible. 

Not  the  least  remarkable  of  its  prophecies  are 
those  declaring  how  it  should  be  written,  and  why. 
How  it  should  be  hid  up  In  the  earth  for  many  gener- 
ations, and  how  it  should  come  forth  in  the  latter 
times;  every  particular  of  which  has  been  realized. 


Isa.  29.  10—12  the  vision  of  all  is  become  as  the  words  of  a 
book. 

13, 14  and  their  fear  towards  me  is  taught  by  the  precepts  of 
men. 

18  in  that  day  shall  the  deaf  hear  the  words  of  the  book. 

43.  19  I  will  do  a  new  thing,  now  it  shall  spring  forth. 

Ezek.  37,  15—28  the  sticks  of  Judah  and  Ephraim. 

Hos.  8.  12  1  have  written  to  him  tlie  great  things  of  my  law. 

Ilab.  1.  5  I  will  work  a  work  in  your  days  wliicJi  you  will  not 
believe. 

2.  3  for  the  vision  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  tho  end 
it  shall  speak. 


Sec.  3.  16 — 20  the  records  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  preserved, 
that  the  promises  of  the  I^ord  might  be  fulfilled. 

5.  11 — 15  the  testimony  of  three  witnesses  to  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon. 

10.  1—52  concerning   that  portion  of  the  Book   of  Mormon 
which  .   Martin  Harris  had  permitted  to  pass  into  the  hands  of ' 
Yv^icked*  men. 

20.  8  gave  him  power  from  on  high  to  translate  the  Book  of 
Mormon. 

9—16  the  purposes  of  God  in  bringing  forth  the  Book  of  Mor- 
ttion. 

24.  1  thou  wast  called  and  chosen  to  write  the  Book  of  Mormon. 


JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN.  lOI 

27.  5  and  with  Moroni,  whom  I  have  sent  to  reveal  the  Book  of 
Mormon. 

83.  16  Book  of  Mormon  and  Holy  Scripturers  given  for  instruc- 
tion. 

42.  12  elders  to  teach  the  principles  contained  in  the  Bible  and 
Book  of  Mormon. 

121.  119  unless  he  be  a  believer  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  and  the 
revelations. 

13,'.  3  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  brought  forth  the  Book  of  Mormon  by 
the  power  of  God. 

6  Book  of  Mormon  and  Doctrine  and  Covenants  cost  the  best 
blood  of  the  nineteenth  ceutury. 

^«arl  of  (Gcxjeat  ^xitt, 

44—57  an  account  ot  the  coming  forth  of  the  Book  of  Mormon 
in  fulfilment  of  prophecy. 

See  Sermon  by  O,  Pratt ^  J,  of  Z>.,   Vol.  75,  page  ij8, 
'*  *'  '*  '*  "     7(5,     "     2og. 

A  scries  of  six  pamphlets,  by  O.  Pratt,  on  the  Divine  Au- 
thenticity of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 

Public  Discussion  between  J.  Taylor  and  Rev^ds  C.  I'V. 
Cleeve,  James  Robertson  and  Phillip  Cater, 

An  account  of  several  remarkable  visions ^  by  O,  Praii. 


JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN.,  ^ 

OF  BIBLE  PROPHECIES 


The  mission  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  is  the  key  of 
the  dispensation  of  the  fuhiess  of  times.  If  he  was 
not  sent  of  God,  the  pretentions  of  the  Latter-day 
Saints  lo  be  the  true  Gospel  church  are  without  foun- 
dation, and  their  labors  for  the  redemption  of  the 
world  must  prove  a  failure. 

If,  in  his  life's  labors,  and  their  results,  the  pre- 
dictions of  the  ancient  prophets  are  being  fulfilled, 


r02  JOSEPH    SMl'iH,   J  UN. 

it  should  be  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  divinity  ol 
his  mission.  For  unless  a  man  have  the  spirit  of 
the  prophets,  he  can  neither  understand  their  predic- 
tions, nor  the  nature  of  the  events  that  would  fulfil 
them. 

John,  the  Revelator,  in  his  vision  of  the  latter 
times,  saw  another  '^Angel  tly  in  the  midst  oi 
heaven,  having  the  everlasting;  Gospel  to  preach  unto 
Ihem  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation, 
and  kindred,  and  tongue;"  Rev.  14.  6. 

On  page  49,  P.  of  G,  P.,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  states 
that  a  glorious  personage  appeared  to  him  and  said 
that  his  name  was  Moroni.  This  angel  told  Mr. 
Smith  one  thing  concerning  his  own  future,  that, 
since  that  time,  1823,  has  had  a  remarkable  fulfilment. 
This  was  that  his  name  ''should  be  had  for  good  or 
evil  among-  all  nations,  kindreds  and  tongues." 

He  also  informed  him  that  there  was  a  record  on 
gold  plates,  deposited  in  the  earth,  which  gave  an 
account  of  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  this  continent, 
and  of  the  source  from  which  they  sprang. 

^  A  book  containing  such  information,  as  the  angel 
said,  was  engraven  on  the  places,  was  produced  by 
Mr.  Smith,  with  competent  witnesses  that  it  was  a 
translation  from  certain  plates  of  gold  which  were 
shown  to  them  by  an  angel.  {See  Book  of  Mormon 
for  the  historical  account^  and  the  third  page  for  the 
testimony  of  the  witnesses.') 

The  angel  Moroni  further  stated,  that  the  record 
contained  the  fulness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 
Here  we  have  all  the  conditions  necessary  for  the 
fulfilment  of  the  prophetic  vison  of  St.  John,  regard- 
ing the  restoration  of  the  Gospel  in  the  latter  times. 

The  angel  repeated  to  Mr.  Smith  the  fifth  verse 
of  the  last  chapter  of  Malachi,  thus:  ''  Behold,  I  will 
reveal  unto  you  the  Priesthood,  by  the  hand  of  Elijah 
the  prophet,  before  the  coming  ot  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord.'  In  ])oc.  &^  Cov.^  no.  13, 
14,  we  find  an  account  of  the  fulfilment  of  this  pro- 
phecy, by  the  appearance  of  Elijah  to  Mr.  Smith. 
He  stateci  that  he  had  come  in  fulfilment  of  this  pre- 
iiciion  of  Malachi's. 


JOSEF'H    SMITH,    JUN.  I03 

The  angel  Moroni  quoted  the  sixth  verse  as  fol- 
lows: "And  he  shall  plant  in  the  hearts  of  the  child- 
ren, the  promises  made  to  the  fathers,  and  the  hearts 
of  the  children  shall  turn  to  their  fathers;  if  it  were 
not  so,  the  whole  earth  would  be  utterly  wasted  at 
his  coming."  ''  Therefore,"  said  the  prophet  Elijah 
to  Joseph  Smith,  "The  keys  of  this  dispensation 
are  committed  into  your  hands." 

After  receiving  authority  from  the  prophet  Elijah, 
Mr.  Smith  made  it  the  business  of  his  life  to  lay  the 
foundation  for  accomplishing  the  great  work  com- 
mitted to  him.  He  has  left  the  world  most  important 
instructions  on  this  subject,  in  Doc.  (Sr»  Cozk  sec, 
128. 

After  referring  to  the  prophecy  of  Malachi,  he  says 
"  It  is  sufficient  to  know,  in  this  case,  that  the  earth 
will  be  smitten  with  a  curse,  unless  there  is  a  welding 
link  of  some  kind  or  other,  between  the  fathers  and 
the  children,  upon  some  subject  or  other,  and  behold, 
what  is  that  subject?  It  is  baptism  for  the  dead. 
For  we  without  them  cannot  be  made  perfect; 
neither  can  they  without  us  be  made  perfect.  Neither 
can  they  nor  we,  be  made  perfect,  without  those  who 
have  died  in  the  Gospel  also;  "  verse  i8.  It  is  neces- 
sary that  all  things  be  connected  and  welded  together 
in  one  glorious  and  complete  union,  from  Adam  down 
to  the  present  time. 

To  accomplish  this  it  is  necessary  that  the  hearts 
of  the  fathers  and  children  be  turned  towards  each 
other,  by  understanding  the  promises  made  in  the 
Gospel.  We  have  no  information  that  the  Christian 
world  has  had  any  knowledge  of  these  glorious  prin- 
ciples for  the  universal  redemption  of  man,  from  the 
time  of  the  primitive  church  until  they  were  revealed 
through  Joseph  Smith,  Jun. 

In  the  bringing  forth  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
through  the  agency  of  an  angel,  we  find  the  ful- 
filment of  Psalm  85.  II,  "Truth  shall  spring  out  of 
the  earth ;  and  righteousness  shall  look  down  from 
heaven;  "  and  also  of  a  parallel  prophecy  of  Enoch's, 
P.o/G.  P.  page  21.  "Righteousness'  will  I  send 
down  out  of  heaven;  and  truth  will  I  send  forth  out 


104  JOSEPH    SMITH,    JUN. 

of  the  earth.*'  What  for?  '^  To  bear  testimony  of 
mine  Only  Begotten." 

Truth  came  forih  out  of  the  earth,  in  the  Book  of 
Mormon,  through  the  rninistration  of  the  angel  Moro- 
ni, and  righteousness  came  down  out  of  heaven 
through  the  blessings  and  ordinances  of  the  holy 
Priesthood,  as  restored  to  the  earth  by  John  the 
Baptist,  when  he  appeared  to  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  O. 
Cowdery,  and  conferred  upon  them  the  Priesthood 
of  Aaron,  '*  Which  holds  the  keys  of  the  ministering 
of  angels,  and  of  the  Gospel  of  repentance,  and  of 
baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins;" 
Doc.  6^  Gov.  13. 

And  by  Peter,  James  and  John,  who  were  sent  to 
Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  others,  and  who  ordained  them 
to  be  apostles  and  especial  witnesses  of  Christ.  27.  12. 
Through  these  ordinances  and  blessings  came  the 
power  to  work  righteousness  on  the  earth. 

Here  we  have  all  the  conditions  for  the  fulfilment 
of  the  prophecies  of  Enoch  and  David,  through  the 
agency  of  Mr.  Smith.  We  find,  by  comparison,  that 
there  is  no  antagonism  in  doctrine  between  the  Book 
of  Mormon  and  Bible.  Christ  said,  "This  Gospel 
of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world  for 
a  witness  unto  all  nations ;  and  then  shall  the  end 
come;"  Ma.tt.  24.  14. 

Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  reiterates  this  prediction  of  our 
Savior's  nearly  1800  years  after  its  utterance:  "For 
verily  the  voice  ot  the  Lord  is  unto  all  men;  "  Doc, 
&^  Gov.  I.  2;  "And  the  voice  of  warning  shall  be 
unto  all  people;  "  verse  4.  "  Wherefore  the  voice  of 
the  Lord  is  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth;  "  verse  11. 

Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  spent  the  labors  of  his  life,  for 
the  accomplishment  of  the  great  work  of  preaching 
the  Gospel  to  all  the  world,  and  it  has  been  the  great 
object  of  the  labors  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  for  more 
than  fifty  years.  Considering  the  magnitude  of  the 
work  it  is  being  rapidly  accomplished. 

Jesus  called  the  Gospel,  the  "  Gospel  of  the  king- 
dom." Of  what  kingdom  did  he  speak,  unless  of  a 
kingdom  of  God  on  the  earth  which  this  Gospel  was 
to  establish?    Even  the  kingdom  which  Daniel  speaks 


JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN.  I05 

of:  **  And  in  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God  of 
heaven  set  up  a  kingdom,  which  shall  never  be  des- 
troyed: ^'  '^'  and  it  shall  stand  forever;"  Van, 
2.  44.  ''And  there  was  given  him  (the  Son  of  Man) 
dominion,  and  glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  peo- 
ple, nations,  and  languages,  should  serve  him;'' 
7.  14;  ''And  the  kingdom  and  dominion,  and  the 
greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole  heaven, 
shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  Saints  of  the 
Most  High;"  verse  27,  The  kingdom  which  this 
Gospel  was  to  build  up,  is  the  great  object  for 
which  all  Latter-day  Saints  labor. 

One  of  the  great  burdens  of  the  ancient  prophets 
was  the  gathering  of  Israel  in  the  latter  days,  that 
Jerusalem  might  be  established,  and  Zion  built  up, 
that  the  law  might  go  forth  from  Zion,  *'  And  the 
word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem;  "  /sa.  2.  3. 

It  is  evident  from  the  tenor  of  the  inspired  writ- 
ings, that  this  kingdom  is  to  consist  of  gathered  Is- 
rael, and  therefore  the  gathering  of  Israel  must  be  a 
part  of  '*  This  Gospel  of  the  kingdom."  Some  one 
must  receive  authority  to  organize  the  means  for  ac- 
complishing this  great  gathering  of  the  latter  days. 

The  former  great  gatherer  and  deliverer  of  Israel 
was  Moses,  c.nd  he,  very  naturally,  was  the  one  to 
restore  that  authority  to  the  earth  after  the  fulness 
of  the  Gentiles  should  come  in. 

Through  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Jos. 
Smith,  Jun.,  understood  this,  and  had  the  faith  to  re- 
ceive the  administrations  of  Moses,  and  he  has  left 
the  fact  on  record.  ''And  Moses  appeared  before  us, 
and  committed  unto  us  the  keys  of  the  gathering  of 
Israel  from  the  four  parts  of  the  earth,  and  the  lead- 
ing of  the  ten  tribes  from  the  land  of  the  north;" 
Dgc.  Or'  Cov.  no.  II. 

He  preached  "  This  Gospel  of  the  kingdom,"  the 
obedient  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  it  moveJ 
them  to  gather  together,  and  Israel,  for  over  fifty 
years,  has  been  gathering  to  form  that  kingdom  in 
fulfilment  of  the  predictions  of  the  ancient  prophets. 

Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  is  the  first  man  of  whom  we 
have  any  record,  for  some  1800  years,  that  has  labored 


I06  JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN. 

for  the  fulfilment  of  the  predictions  of  the  ancient 
prophets;  Doc.  b^  Cov.  i.  i8. 

The  Lord  said,  through  his  prophet  Micah,  '^  In 
the  last  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the  mountain 
of  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  established  in  the  top 
of  the  mountains,  and  it  shall  be  exalted  above  the  hills ; 
*"  "^-  and  many  nations  shall  come,  and  say, 
Come,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord, 
and  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  he  will 
teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths: 
for  the  law  shall  go  forth  of  Zion,  and  the  word 
of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem;  "  Mic.  4.  i,  2. 

For  many  years  there  has  been  a  *^  House  of  the 
Lord"  in  Salt  Lake  City,  in  the  top  of  the  mountains, 
and  for  more  than  thirty  years,  the  people  of  many 
nations  have  been  saying,  "  Come  and  let  us  go  up 
to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord." 

That  there  will  be  a  place  called  Zion  from  which 
"The  law  shall  go  forth,"  distinct  from  Jerusalem,  is 
evident  from  Isaiah,  "  When  the  Lord  of  Hosts  shall 
reign  in  Mount  Zion,  and  in  Jerusalem;  "  24.  23. 

How  is  it  that  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  first  organ- 
ized the  means  for  the  partial  fulfilment  of  this 
prophecy,  and  left,  at  his  death,  the  authority  and  in- 
structions necessary  to  complete  its  fulfilment,  by  the 
building  of  a  great  city  to  be  called  Zion,  in  the  state 
of  Missouri,  which  in  fulfilment  of  the  prophecy, 
shall  become  the  capital  of  this  western  hemisphere, 
if  he  did  not  obtain  his  knowledge  of  the  whole 
matter  through  Divine  inspiration? 

The  Jaredite  prophet,  PZther,  some  2500  years 
ago,  foretold  '*  That  a  New  Jerusalem  should  be 
built  up  upon  this  land  (America),  unto  the  seed  of 
Joseph ;  "•  Ether  13.  4,  6. 

There  is  a  wonderful  connection  between  this 
passage  in  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  the  prophecies 
of  Isaiah  and  Micah,  the  result  of  one  spirit  of 
inspiration,  acting  upon  different  men,  in  countries, 
long  distances  apart,  and  at  different  periods  of  time. 

It  is  quite  as  unaccountable  on  any  other  grounds 
than  that  of  inspiration,  that  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  after 
many  centuries  had  elapsed  since  these  predictions  of 


JOSEPH    SMITH,    JUN,  IO7 

the  prophets,  should  declare  to  the  world  that  the 
lime  was  at  hand  for  their  fulfilment,  and  that^  he 
should  have  the  confidence  to  indicate  the  identical 
spot,  on  this  great  land  of  North  America,  where  this 
city  of  Zion  is  to  be  built.  "  This  is  the  land  of 
promise,  and  the  place  for  the  city  of  Zion.  *  *  * 
Behold,  the  place  which  is  now  called  Independence, 
is  the  center  place,  and  a  spot  for  the  temple  is  lying 
westward;  "  Doc,  ^  Cov.  57.  2,  3. 


JOSEPH    SMITH    AS    A    FULFILLER   OF 
BOOK  OF  MORMON  PROPHECIES. 


The  first  Nephi,  2400  years  before  the  days  of 
Joseph  Smith,  the  Prophet,  had  a  vision  of  the  dis- 
covery and  colonization  of  America  by  Europeans. 
He  also  saw  the  record  of  the  Jews  (the  Bible)  come 
forth  from  the  Gentiles  to  the  remnant  of  the  seed  of 
his  brethren  (the  American  Indians).  He  says,  "After 
it  had  come  forth  unto  them,  I  beheld  other  books, 
which  came  forth  by  the  power  of  the  Lamb,  from 
the  Gentiles  unto  them:  "  i  Nephi  13.  38,  39. 

Admitting  that  this  prophecy  has  been  partly  ful- 
filled, by  Christian  denominations  who  have  sent 
missionaries  and  the  Bible  among  the  Indians,  it 
remained  for  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  to  initiate  the  ful- 
filment of  the  second  part  of  the  prophecy,  that 
other  books,  besides  the  Bible,  should  come  forth  to 
the  children  of  Lehi,  which  should  bear  testimony  of 
the  truth  of  the  Bible. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  was  the  first  of  this  series 
of  books,  which  were  to  be  carried  forth  among  the 
American  Indians,  after  the  Bible.  It  has  been  fol- 
lowed by  the  book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  con- 


I08  JOSEPH    SMITH,    JUN. 

taining  revelations  and  instructions  concerning  the 
latter-day  work,  and  by  inspired  translations  from  the 
writings  of  Enoch,  AlDraham  and  Moses,  which  all 
bear  record  of  the  truth  of  the  Jewish  prophets,  and 
of  the  teachings  of  Jesus  and  his  apostles,  as  foretold 
they  would  do  by  the  prophet  Nephi. 

This  same  prophet  further  says,  "  There  is  nothing 
which  is  secret,  save  it  shall  be  revealed;  *  *  •'^ 
there  is  nothing  which  is  sealed  upon  the  earth,  save 
it  shall  be  loosed.  Wherefore,  all  thingswhich  have 
been  revealed  unto  the  children  of  men,  shall  at  that 
day  be  revealed;  "  2  Nephi  30.  17,  18.  The  context 
of  this  passage  shows  that  it  speaks  of  the  latter 
days. 

The  following  is  nearly  a  parallel  passage  in 
meaning:  "And  he  shall  send  Jesus  Christ  which  be- 
fore was  preached  unto  you:  whom  the  heaven  must 
receive  until  the  times  of  restitution  of  all  thins^s^ 
which  God  hath  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  all  his  holy 
prophets  since  the  world  began;  "  Acts  3.  20,  21. 

That  is,  all  the  knowledge  that  has  ever  been  re» 
vealed  to  man  will  be  restored  to  the  earth.  All  that 
was  revealed  to  Adam  and  the  ante-diluvian  prophets; 
to  Noah  and  the  Jaredite  prophets;  to  Abraham;  to 
Moses  and  the  Jewish  prophets;  to  the  Nephite 
prophets;  to  the  primitive  apostles  of  our  Savior, 
and  many  others,  to  whom  the  Lord  has  shewn  all 
things  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  the  end 
thereof. 

x^fter  many  centuries  had  passed,  in  which  man's 
wisdom  had  failed  to  comprehend  the  meaning  of  the 
phrase,  **The  restitution  of  all  things,"  or  the 
grand  fulfilment  of  prophecy  comprehended  in  a 
"Dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times" — a  time  in 
which  all  the  knowledge  and  power  of  all  times  will 
be  gathered  into  one — Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  appears  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  claims  that  the 
Lord  has  authorized  him  to  open   up  this  grand  dis- 

Eensation  of  a  fulness,  and  that  for  this  purpose  he 
as  bestowed  upon  him  first,  and  then  through  him 
upon  others,  all  the  keys  and  powers  of  the  Priest- 
hood which  had  been  held  in  former  dispensations. 


JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN.  lOQ 

'*  For  unto  you,  (the  twelve)  and  those  (the  first 
presidency)  who  are  appointed  with  you,  to  be  your 
counselors  and  your  leaders,  is  the  power  of  this 
Priesthood  given,  for  the  last  days  and  for  the  last 
time,  in  the  which  is  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness 
of  times,  which  power  you  hold  in  connection  with 
all  those  who  have  received  a  dispensation  at  any 
time  from  the  beginning  of  creation;  "  Doc.  <2r*  Cov, 
'12.  30—32. 

In  sec.  no  we  are  informed  that  Jesus  Christ, 
EliaSj  Moses,  and  Elijah  the  prophet,  appeared  to 
Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  others,  and  bestowed  upon 
them  the  keys  of  the  holy  Priesthood,  held  in  other 
dispensations,  that  they  might  be  concentrated  in 
this. 

In  these  last  two  quotations,  from  Doc.  &^  Cov., 
we  have  an  account  of  the  bestowal  of  the  necessary 
authority  upon  certain  persons,  for  the  opening  up  of 
the  gathering  dispensation  of  the  latter  times,  that 
is  perfectly  consistent  with  the  Book  of  Mormon  and 
the  Bible. 

,  No  man,  unless  endowed  by  Divine  inspiration, 
:ould  have  conceived  of  such  a  sacramental  feast  as 
is  represented  in  the  following,  to  which  will  be 
gathered  in  the  latter  times,  the  great  dignitaries  of 
all  dispensations,  with  Jesus  Christ  at  their  head, 
together  holding  all  the  keys,  authority  and  powers 
of  the  holy  Priesthood,  pertaining  to  the  redemption 
of  man  and  of  the  earth. 

**  For  the  hour  cometh  that  I  will  drink  of  the 
fruit  of  the  vine  with  you  on  the  earth,  and  with 
Moroni,  whom  I  have  sent  unto  you  to  reveal  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  containing  the  fulness  of  my  ever- 
lasting Gospel,  *  *  '^  and  also  with  Elias, 
to  whom  I  have  committed  the  keys  of  bringing  to 
pass  the  restoration  of  all  things,"  and  with  John  the 
Baptist,  "whom  I  have  sent  unto  you,  my  servants, 
Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  Oliver  Cowdery,  to  ordain 
you  unto  this  first  Priesthood  which  you  have  re- 
ceived.    '^        ••' 

"And  also  Elijah,  unto  whom  I  have  committed  the 
keys   of  the   power    of    turning    the    hearts   of   the 


no  JOSEr'H    SMITH,   JUN. 

fathers  to  the  children,  *  *  *  and  also  with 
Joseph  and  Jacob,  and  Isaac,  and  Abraham,  your 
fathers,  *  *  and  also  with  Michael,  or  Adam, 
the  father  of  all,  the  prince  of  all,  the  ancient  of  days. 

"And  also  with  Peter,  and  James,  and  John,  * 
*  *  by  whom  I  have  ordained  you  and  con- 
firmed you  to  be  Apostles,  and  especial  witnesses  of 
my  name, and  bear  the  keys  of  your  ministry,  and  of 
the  same  things  which  1  have  revealed  unto  them :  unto 
whom  I  have  committed  the  keys  of  my  kingdom,  and 
a  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  for  the  last  times;  and 
for  the  fulness  of  times,  in  the  which  I  will  gather  to- 
gether in  one  all  things,  both  which  are  in  heaven, 
and  which  are  on  earth;  "  27.  5 — 13. 

On  a  certain  occasion, when  the  Nephite  disciples  of 
our  Savior  were  engaged  *Mn  mighty  prayer  and  fast- 
ing," he  appeared  in  their  midst  and  asked  them, 
"  What  will  ye  that  I  shall  give  unto  you?  "And  they 
said  unto  him.  Lord,  we  will  that  thou  wouldst 
tell  us  the  name  whereby  we  shall  call  this  church; 
for  there  are  disputations  among  the  people  concern- 
ing this  matter.  .  • 

''And  the  Lord  said  unto  them.  Verily,  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  why  is  it  that  the  people  should  murmur 
and  dispute  because  of  this  thing?  Have  they  not 
read  the  scriptures,  which  say  ye  must  take  upon  you 
the  name  of  Christ,  which  is  my  name?  For  by  this 
name  si  ill  ye  be  called  at  the  last  day.  *  *  ==• 
Therefo.'e  whatsoever  ye  shall  do,  ye  shall  do  it  in 
my  name;  therefore  ye  shall  call  the  church  in  my 
name;"   '^Nephii'].  2 — 7. 

In  the  above  Jesus  plainly  told  his  disciples  that 
his  name  was  Christ,  and  that  his  church  should  be 
called  Christ's  Church,  not  Christian,  Catholic, 
Campbellite  or  Episcopalian. 

When  Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  organized  this  church, 
on  the  6th  of  April,  1830,  it  was  organized  as  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  \v.  obedience  to  the  instruc- 
tions of  Jesus  Christ,  some  1800  years  before. 

The  prophet  Nephi,  speaking  of  the  gathering  of 
Israel,  says,  that  the  Lord  ''Will  bring  them  again 
out  of  captivity,  and  they  shall  be  gathered  together 


JOSEPH   SMITH,   JUN.  Ill 

to  the  lands  of  their  inheritance;  and  they  shall  be 
brought  out  of  obscurity,  and  out  of  darkness;" 
I  Nephi  22.  12. 

The  Book,  of  Mormon,  brought  forth  through  the 
agency  of  Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  reveals  to  the  world  the 
fact  that  the  millions  of  aboriginal  Americans  scat- 
tered ove^"  the  American  continent,  from  Cape  Horn 
to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  are  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

The  keys  of  the  Patriarchial  Priesthood  enable 
those  on  whom  they  are  bestowed,  to  know,  by  rev- 
elation, the  lineage  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  and 
tens  of  thousands  of  Ephraim,  and  thousands  of 
Manasseh,  are  being  gathered,  who  were  not  known 
before  the  days  of  Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  as  portions  of 
the  house  of  Israel.  Thus  the  great  work  of  bring- 
ing the  tribes  of  Israel,  out  of  obscurity  and  darkness, 
and  of  developing  their  existence  to  themselves, 
and  to  the  wdrld,  has  been  inaugurated  by  Jos.  Smith, 
Jun.  The  work  must  continue  until  they  are 
gathered  from  all  parts  of  the  earth,  in  fulfilm'ent  of 
the  words  of  the  prophets,  and  of  the  promises  made 
to  their  fathers. 

The  following  promise  was  made  to  Joseph  who 
was  sold  into  Egypt,  "  The  fruit  of  thy  loins  shall 
write;  and  the  fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah  shall 
write;"  and  that  which  shall  be  written,  '^  Shall 
grow  together,  unto  the  confounding  of  false  doctrines, 
and  laying  down  of  contentions,  and  establishing 
peace  among  the  fruit  of  thy  loins,  and  bringing  them 
to  the  knowledge  of  their  fathers  in  the  latter-days ; 
and  also  the  knowledge  of  my  covenants,  saith  the 
Lord;"  2  Nephi  2,-  12.  Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  has  brought 
forth  the  Book  of  Mormon,  the  writing  of  the  fruit  of 
the  loins  of  Joseph  through  Ephraim  and  Manasseh, 
and  has  placed  it,  side  by  side,  with  the  writing  of  the 
fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah — the  Bible — the  one  estab- 
hshing  the  truth  of  the  other,  and  thus  has  literally 
fulfilled  this  prophecy. 

The  Lord  further  said  to  Joseph  who  was  sold 
into  Egypt,  '^  I  will  raise  up  unto  the  fruit  of  thy 
loins;  and  I  will  make  for  him  a  spokesman.  And 
I,  behold,  I  will  give  unto  him,  that  he  shall  write  the 


112  JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN. 

writing  ot  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  (the  Nephites),  unto 
the  fruit  of  thy  loins  (the  American  Indians);  and 
the  spokesman  of  thy  loins  shall  declare  it;"  verse 
i8. 

In  Doc.  &^  Cov.y  we  are  informed  of  the  fulfilment 
of  this  prophecy.  The  Lord  said  to  Joseph  the 
prophet  and  S.  Rigdon,  'Mt  is  expedient  in  me  that 
you,  my  servant  Sidney,  should  be  a  spokesman  unto 
this  people;  yea,  verily,  I  will  ordain  you  unto  this 
calling,  even  to  be  a  spokesman  unto  my  servant 
Joseph;  "   loo.  9. 

"And  it  shall  be  as  if  the  fruit  of  thy  loins  had 
cried  unto  them  from  the  dust;  "  2  Nephi  3.  19. 
Jos.  Smith,  Jun.,  was  of  the  lineage  of  Joseph  who  was 
sold  into  Egypt,  to  whom  these  promises  were  made. 
The  Nephites  were  also  his  descendants,  and  they 
wrote  and  hid  up  the  plates  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
with  the  assurance  that,  in  after  years,  the  writing 
should  be  brought  forth  to  their  descendants  and 
others  of  the  house  of  Israel;  Mormon  2>.  i^ — 16. 
The  record  was  engraved  on  plates  in  a  language 
known  only  to  the  Nephites;  Mormon  9.  34. 

Of  necessity  there  were  some  means  provided 
for  interpreting  and  re-writing  the  record  in  a  modern 
language,  before  it  could  benefit  those  for  whom  it 
was  designed.  With  the  plates  of  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon was  found  a  Urim  and  Thummim,  by  means  of 
which,  through  the  power  of  God,  Jos.  Smith,  Jun., 
was  enabled  to  translate  the  Nephite  record  lor  the 
benefit  of  the  descendants  of  Lehi,  and  any  others 
of  the  human  family  who  would  receive  it;  Doc.  dr* 
Cov.  10.  1.  '^And  it  shall  be  as  if  the  fruit  of  thy 
loins  had  cried  to  them  from  the  dust,"  was  fulfilled 
in  taking  the  writing  out  of  the  earth,  where  it  had 
been  deposited  for  1400  years. 

In  Mormon  8.  13,  14,  we -are  informed  that  the  rec- 
ord was  hid  up  in  the  earth  by  Moroni,  the  son  of 
Mormon,  and  it  remained  under  his  care  until  he  de- 
livered it  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  P.  of  G.  P.  pa^e  49. 
The  Lord  said,  *'And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  my 
people  which  are  of  the  house  of  Israel,  shall  be 
gathered  home  unto  the   lands  of  their  possessions; 


JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN.  II3 

and  my  word  also  shall  be  gathered  in  one;"  2  Nephi 
29.  14. 

In  fulfilment  of  this  prophecy,  Jos.  Smith, 
Jun.,  during  the  short  period  of  his  ministry,  not 
only  inaugurated  the  great  work  of  gathering  Israel, 
but  also  of  gathering  together  sacred  writings, 
which  at  this  time  consist  of  the  unsealed  portion  of 
the  record  of  Mormon;  the  Book  of  Doctrine  and 
Covenants,  and  of  important  portions  of  the  writings 
ot  Enoch,  of  Abraham,  and  of  Moses.  He  also 
declared  that  more  sacred  writings  would  come  forth, 
as  fast  as  the  people  were  prepared  to  receive  them. 

Moroni,  who  completed  and  hid  up  the  record  of 
Mormon  in  the  earth,  says,  of  the  plates,  "  Unto 
three  shall  they  be  shown  by  the  power  of  God; 
wherefore  they  shall  know  of  a  surety  that  these 
things  are  true.  And  in  the  mouth  of  three  witnesses 
shall  these  things  be  established;"  Ether  5.  3,  4. 
We  fiiid  that  the  Lord  repeated  this  prediction  to 
Jos.  Smith,  Jun.;  Doc,  <Sr»  Cov.  5.  11 — 15.  On  the 
second  page,  after  the  title  page  of  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon, we  find  the  testimony  of  three  men,  Oliver 
Cowdery,  David  VVhitmer  and  Martin  Harris,  that 
an  angel  appeared  to  them  and  showed  them  the  plates, 
"  Wiiiich  is  a  record  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and 
also  of  the  Lamanites  Lheir  brethren,  and  also  of  the 
people  of  Jared,  who  came  from  the  tower"  of  Babel. 

It  was  made  manifest  to  them  that  they  had 
been  translated  by  tlie  gift  and  power  of  GoB,  and 
the  voice  of  the  Lord  commanded  that  they  should 
bear  record  of  the  things  that  had  been  shown  them. 


114  JOSEPH    SMITH,    JUN. 


JOSEPH     SMITH,    JUN.,    AS     A     PROPHET. 

AND    FULFILLER    OF    HIS    OWN 

PROPHECIES. 


"And  the  voice  of  warning  shall  be  unto  all  peo- 
ple, by  the  mouths  of  my  disciples,  whom  I  have 
chosen  in  these  last  days;  "  Doc,  &^  Cov.  i.  4.  This 
was  one  of  the  first  prophetic  commandments  given 
to  the  Latter-day  Saints,  through  Jos.  Smith,  Jun. 

Many  hundreds  of  the  Elders  of  the  Church  have 
traveled  to  and  fro  in  the  earth,  regardless  of  ex- 
posure to  the  elements,  of  fatigue,  or  of  percuniary 
considerations,  warning  the  people  to  repent  of  their 
sins,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  was  near. 

There  are  now  but  few  nations  who  are  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  word,  that  have  not  had  the 
Gospel  of  this  dispensation  preached  to  them.  With 
a  constantly  increasing  number  of  Elders,  thtf  labor 
will  continue  until  the  Gospel  is  preached  '^as  a 
witness  to  all  nations."  The  quorums  of  the  Priest- 
hood were  organized  and  set  in  order,  by  Jos.  Smith, 
Jun.,  with  this  great  work  especially  in  view. 

In  sec.  3.  16 — 20,  it  is  predicted  that  a  knowledge 
of  the  Savior,  and  also  of  their  fathers,  should  come 
to  the  descendants  of  Lehi,  the  American  Indians. 
Through  the  ministry  and  teachings  of  Jos.  Smith, 
Tun.,  thousands  of  the  Lamanites  have  come  to  a 
knowledge  of  their  fathers,  and  many  "  Believe  the 
Gospel  and  rely  upon  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ," 
of  which  many  ot  the  Latter-day  Saints  are  wit- 
nesses. 

*•  Behold,  a  marvellous  work  is  about  to  come 
forth  among  the  children  of  men;"  4.  i.  This  de- 
claration was  made  .in  February,  1829;  before  the 
ori^nizatioft   of   the    Church.     The   organization  af 


JOSEPH    SMITH,    JUN.  Ilg 

the  Church,  the  teachings,  unity,  energy,  and  progress 
of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  have  ever  been  a  marvel  to 
the  world,  and  are  daily  becoming  more  so,  in  fulfil- 
ment of  this  often  repeated  prediction  in  the  book 
of  Doc.  <Sr»  Cov, 

In  March,  1829,  the  Lord  said  to  Jos.  Smith,  Jun., 
'*  For  hereafter  you  »hall  be  ordained  and  go  forth 
and  deliver  my  words  unto  the  children  of  men;  '*  5. 
6.  On  the  15th  of  May  following,  John  the  Baptist 
laid  his  hands  upon  the  heads  of  Jos.  Smith,  Jun., 
and  O.  Cowdery,  and  ordained  them  to  "The 
Priesthood  of  Aaron,  which  holds  the  keys  of  the 
ministering  of  angels,  and  of  the  Gospel  of  repent- 
ance, and  of  baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission 
of  sins; "  sec,  13. 

It  is  evident  that,  previous  to  this  time,  Jos. 
Smith,  Jun.,  had  foreseen  by  the  spirit  of  prophecy, 
that  it  was  necessary  he  should  be  called  of  God  as 
was  Aaron,  and  for  this  reason  was  prepared  to  re- 
ceive a  proper  ordination  by  the  hands  of  an 
authorized  messenger  from  God.  We  have  no  rec- 
ord of  such  previous  ordination  to  the  Priesthood, 
since  the  days  of  the  primitive  apostles. 

The  Lord  said  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  **  There  are 
many  that  lie  in  wait  to  destroy  thee  from  off  the  face 
of  the  earth; "  5.  ^-i^.  The  whole  life  of  Jos.  Smith, 
Jun.,  and  his  death,  evidence  the  truthfulness  of  this 
prophecy.  Some  forty  times  was  he  brought  before 
the  courts  by  his  enemies,  and  they  failed  to  sub- 
stantiate the  charges  preferred  against  him,  and, 
on  the  27th  of  June,  1844,  he,  and  his  brother 
Hyrum,  were  assassinated  in  Carthage  jail,  by  a  mob, 
when  under  the  pledged  protection  of  the  Executive 
of  the^state  of  Illinois. 

"And  the  poor  and  the  meek  shall  have  the  Gos- 
pel preached  unto  them,  and  they  shall  be  looking  forth 
for  the  time  of  my  coming;"  35.  15.  Not  only  has 
the  Gospel  been  preached  to  the  poor  and  the  meek, 
but  they  are  the  ones  who  have  received  it,  and  are 
looking  and  preparing  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord, 
"For  it  is  nigh  at  hand." 

"Inasmuch  as  my  peoj^lc  shall  asacmble  them- 


Il6  JOSEPH    SMITH,   JUN. 

selves  to  the  (state  of)  Ohio,  I  have  kept  in  store 
a  blessing  such  as  is  not  known  among  the  children 
of  men,  and  it  shall  be  poured  forth  upon  their 
heads;"  39.  15.  This  prophetic  promise  was  given 
through  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  in  Fayeite,  New  York, 
January  5,  1831.  In  1836,  a  temple  was  completed  in 
the  town  of  Kirtland,  Ohio.  'It  was  the  first  temple 
of  modern  times,  dedicated  to  that  Priesthood  of 
which  Jesus  Christ  is  the  acknowledged  head. 

In  this  temple  the  Elders  of  the  Church  received 
endowments  and  great  blessings,  of  which  the  world 
generally  were  entirely  ignorant.  The  Lord  said 
through  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  "  The  sound  must  go  forth 
from  this  place  into  all  the  world,  and  unto  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth — the  Gospel  must  be  preached 
unto  every  creature,  with  signs  following  them  that 
believe;"  58.64. 

This  propht^cy  was  literally  fulfilled  by  the  Elders 
scattering  from  Kirtland,  after  receiving  their  endow- 
ments, to  all  parts  ot  Uie  United  Slates  and  the  Caha- 
fhis.  nnr]  bv  il^c  first  European  Mission  being  estab- 
lished soon  after. 

ij..  ti.io  Liaic  thousands  of  Latter-day  Saints  can 
testify  that  the  Gospel  has  been  preached  in  a  large 
portion  of  the  world,  and  that  the  signs  of  faith,  gift 
of  tongues,  healing,  etc.,  have  followed  the  believer. 

The  following  remarkable  prophecy  was  delivered 
Dec.  25th,  1832.  '*  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  concerning 
the  wars  that  will  shortly  come  to  pass,  beginning  at 
the  rebellion  of  South  Carolina,  which  will 
eventually  terminate  in  the  death  and  misery  of  many 
souls.  The  days  will  come  that  war  will  be  poured 
out  upon  all  nations,  beginning  at  that  place;  ••''  *' 
and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  after  many  days,  slaves 
shall  rise  up  against  their  masters,  who  shall  be 
marshalled  and  disciplined  for  war;" 

In  1861,  twenty-nine  years  after  this  prophecy  was 
recorded,  the  war  between  the  North  and  South 
commenced  in  South  Carolina.  It  continued  for 
several  years  and  was  very  destructive.  In  the  lat- 
ter part  of  It  many  thousands  of  slaves  deserted  their 
masters    and  were   marshalled    and    disciplined    for 


JOSEPH   SMITH,   JUN.  II7 

war,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  armies  of  the  Northern 
States. 

During  the  contest  the  Southern  States  called 
upon  the  nation  of  Great  Britain  for  assistance. 
"And  it  shall  come  to  pass  also,  that  the  remnants 
who  are  left  of  the  land  (the  Indians)  will  marshal 
themselves,  and  shall  become  exceeding  angry,  and 
shall  vex  the  Gentiles  with  a  sore  vexation;"  Sec.  87. 

Never  before,  since  the  United  States  have  been 
a  nation,  has  the  Indian  question  been  so  compli- 
cated and  vexatious  as  now.  That  a  part  of  this 
prophecy  has  been  so  literally  fulfilled  would  seem  a 
guarantee  that  the  whole  will  be  realized. 

The  delivery  of  the  keys  of  the  holy  Priesthood 
unto  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  by  Elias,  by  Moses, 
by  Elijah,  their  ordination  to  the  Priesthood  of  Aaron 
by  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  Mclchisedek  Priesthood 
by  Peter,  James  and  John,  the  building  of  temples,  the 
ordinance's  and  endowments  for  the  living  and  for 
the  dead,  received  in  them;  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  to  all  the  world,  the  gathering  of  Israel;  and 
all  the  varied  labors  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  in  order 
to  establish  a  veritable  kingdom  of  God  on  the  earth, 
and  to  prepare  for  the  coming  of  our  Savior  in  his 
glory,  are  the  direct  results  of  the  personal  labors 
and  "inspired  teachings  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jun. 

He  stands  forth,  pre-eminently,  as  the  Divinely 
inspired  prophetic  leader  of  the  "Dispensation  of  the 
fulness  of  times;"  as  God's  agent  for  the  "Restitu- 
tion of  all  things  spoken  by  all  holy  prophets  since 
the  world  began."  As  the  great  fulfiller  of  numer- 
ous prophecies  of  both  the  ancient  Jewish  and 
Nephite  prophets,  as  recorded  in  the  Bible  and  Book 
of  Mormon;  as  the  great  prophet  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  and  the  fulfiller  of  his  own  prophecies, 
showing  that  he  was  Divinely  inspired  to  boih 
prophesy  and  to  fulfil. 

See  a  pamphlet  by  O,  Pratt ^  en  fit  led ^  **  Divine  Authority^ 
or,  was  yo%eph  Smith  sent  of  God.** 

A  pamphlet  entitled ^  "  A  Public  Discussion,  between  y. 
Taylor  and  C,   W,  Cleeve,  J,  .Robertson  and  P.  Cater, ^' 


115  MARRIAGE. 

*'  yoseph  Smifh*s  Prophetic  Calling,^'  Mil,  Star,  Vol.  42, 
pages  164,  18 J,  795,  22'j, 

Epistle  of  D.  W.  Patten,  Hist'ry  of  J.  Smith,  July  ji, 
1838, 

O,  Spencer's  Letters  to  Rev.   Wm.  Crowe  I,  No,  i. 


MARRIAGE— A      DIVINE       INSTITUTION, 
AND    DESIGNED    TO    BE    ETERNAL. 


Marriage  is  ordained  of  God  unto  man,  that  the 
earth  might  answer  the  end  of  its  creationj  and  *'  Be 
tilled  with  the  measure  of  man,  according  to  his  crea- 
tion before  the  world  was  made;  "  Doc.  ^  Cov.  49. 

Outside  of  marriage  the  salvation  of  man  would 
be  incomplete:  *' Neither  is  the  man  without  the 
woman,  neither  the  woman  without  the  man,  in  the 
Lord;"  i  Cor.  11.  11.  ^  All  the  works  of  God  receive 
the  impress  of  eternity':  *'  I  know  that,  whatsoever 
God  doeth,  it  shall  be  forever:  nothing  can  be  put  to 
it,  nor  anything  taken  from  it;  "  EccL  3.  14. 

When  the  Creator  joined  Adam  and  Eve  together, 
as  the  progenitors  of  the  human  race,  we  do  no"t  learn 
that  he  set  any  limit  to  the  continuance  of  their  mar- 
riage relations.  We  have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the 
gift  of  Eve,  to  Adam,  was  designed  to  be  as  eternal 
as  himself. 

Man,  in  his  fulness,  is  a  twofold  organization — 
male  and  female.  Either  being  incapable  of  filling 
the  measure  of  their  creation  alone,  it  requires  the 
union  of  the  two  to  complete  man  in  the  image  of 
God,  for  in  Gen.  i.  27,  it  expressly  says,  that  he  was 
created  male  and  female  in  the  image  of  God.  There- 


MARRIAGE.  119 

fore,  without  the  proper  union   of  the   sexes,  man 
would  be  less  than  what  God  created  him. 

There  is  a  comprehensive  significance  in,  "  The 
Lord  God  said,  it  is  not  good  that  the  man  should  be 
alone;"  Gen.  2.  18.  It  speaks  of  no  particular  period 
of  man's  life,  and  has  no  limit  in  its  application.  The 
entire  narrative  of  the  union  of  Adam  and  Eve,  in 
the  second  chapter  of  Genesis,  intimates  the  designed 
inseparable  relationship  between  man  and  wife,  in 
marriage  as  ordained  of  God. 

Adam  said,  ^'  This  is  now  bone  of  my  bones,  and 
flesh  of  my  flesh;"  2.  23.  He  evidently  well  under- 
stood this  eternal  relationship  with  Eve,  when  he 
answered  the  Lord's  question,  "  Hast  thou  eaten  of 
the  tree,  whereof  I  commanded  thee  that  thou 
shouldest  Dot  eat?"  and  he  replied,  "The  woman 
whom  thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  she  gave  me  of  the 
tree,  and  I  did  eat;"  Gen.  3.  11,  12. 

Here  Adam  tells  the  Lord,  by  way  of  apology, 
that  in  order  to  keep  his  commandment,  that  he  and 
the  woman  should  remain  together,  he  was  compelled 
to  partake  of  the  forbidden  fruit  after  her.  This  is 
evidently  the  view  the  apostle  Paul  took  of  the  sub- 
ject: "Adam  was  not  deceived,  but  the  woman  being 
deceived  was  in  the  transgression;"  i  Tim,  2.  14. 

This  inseparable  connection  between  man  and 
wife,  in  marriage  as  ordained  of  God,  is  further  ex- 
emplified by  the  same  apostle  in  Eph.  5.  22 — 33: 
"The  husband  is  the  head  of  the  wife,  even  as  Christ 
is  the  head  of  the  church."  That  is,  as  Christ  is 
eternally  the  head  of  the  church,  so  is  the  husband 
eternally  the  head  of  the  wife.  "Husbands,  love 
your  wives,  even  as  Christ  also  loved  the  church. 
*  *  so  ought  men  to  love  their  wives  as  their 
own  bodies.  He  that  loveth  his  wife  loveth  himself. 
For  no  man  ever  yet  hated  his  own  flesh.  *         * 

Let  every  one  of  you  in  particular  so  love  his  wife 
even  as  himself." 

The  principle  of  inseparable  connection  is  fully 
expressed  in  Adam's  answer  to  the  Lord  as  rendered 
in  the  writings  of  Moses,  translated  by  Joseph,  the 
Seer.      "The   woman   whom   thou   gavest   me,  and 


I20  MARRIAGE. 

commanded  that  she  should  remain  with  me,  she 
gave  me  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  and  I  did  eat:" 
P.  of  G.  P.,  page  ^. 

We  further  read,  on  page  13,  "In  the  day  that 
God  created  man,  (in  the  likeness  of  God  made  he 
him,)  in  the  image  of  his  own  body,  male  and  female, 
created  he  them,  and  blessed  them,  and  called  their 
name  Adam."  Here  we  are  informed  that  it  re- 
quired the  male  and  female,  united,  to  make  one  im- 
age of  his  own  body,  and  that  male  and  female  were 
necessary  to  form  one  Adam,  who  was  in  the  dual 
image  of  God  his  father.  We  also  find  by  referring 
again  to  Gen.  i.  27,  that  it  required  the  male  and 
female  to  make  an  image  of  God. 

The  Lord  has  ever  manifested  a  great  interest  in 
the  marriage  relations  of  his  chosen  people  and 
Priesthood,  and  has  protected  the  sexual  relations  by 
stringent  laws  and  regulations.  The  importance  of 
marrying  in  the  same  lineage,  as  themselves,  appears 
to  have  been  well  understood  by  the  patriarchs.  For 
this  reason,  doubtless,  Abraham  married  a  near  rela- 
tion, and  sent  his  servant,  Eliezer,  to  his  kindred  to 
obtain  a  wife  for  his  son,  and  heir,  Isaac;  Gen,  20. 
12.     Chap.  24. 

Isaac  also  commanded  Jacob  to  go  to  Padan- 
aram,  and  take  one  of  his  cousins  to  wife;  Gen.  28. 
I — 6.  Twice  the  Lord  interfered,  in  a  miraculous 
manner,  to  prevent  the  wife  of  Abraham  from  being 
defiled;  Geji.  12.  17 — 20.  Chap.  20.  2,3.  Evidently 
for  the  reason  that  she  was  the  foreordained  cove- 
nant wife  of  Abraham,  and  destined  mother  of  the 
Lord's  chosen  people.  Israel  was  forbidden  to  marry 
with  the  Canaanites;  Deut.  7.  3. 

The  Lord  gave  special  commandments  regarding 
the  marriage  of  priests  and  their  families.  A  priest's 
daughter  that  profaned  herselt  was  to  be  burned  with 
fire;  Lev.  21.  9.  The  High  Priest  was  required  to 
take  a  virgin  of  his  own  people  to  wife;  verse  14. 
The  sons  of  Aaron  were  commanded  not  to  take  a 
wife  that  was  a  whore,  or  profane,  or  a  woman  put 
away  from  her  husband;  verse  7. 

"If  a  man  be  found  lying  with  a  woman   married 


MARRIAGE.  121 

to  a  husband,  then  they  shall  both  of  them  die;" 
Dent,  22.  22.  If  a  man  lay  with  a  virgin,  in  the  city, 
that  was  betrothed  to  an  husband,  they  were  both 
stoned  to  death;  verses  23,  24.  If  a  man  lay  with  a 
virgin  not  betrothed,  and  thereby  humbled  her,  he 
was  required  to  pay  her  father  fifty  shekels  of  silver, 
and  take  her  to  wife,  without  the  possibility  of  divorc- 
ing her;  verse  28,  29. 

The  eighteenth  chapter  of  Leviticus  is  chiefly 
occupied  with  forbidding  the  unlawful  indulgence  of 
the  passions.  The  Nephite  prophet,  Alma,  told  his 
son  that  harlotry  was  "most  abominable  above  all 
sins,  save  it  be  the  shedding  of  innocent  blood:" 
Alma  39,  5.  Jesus  told  his  Nephite  disciples  "It  is 
better  that  ye  should  deny  yourselves  of  these  things, 
wherein  ye  will  take  up  your  cross,  than  that  ye 
should  be  cast  into  hell;"  3  Nephi  it..  30. 

In  Doc.  &^  Gov.,  the  passages  are  numerous  in 
which  adultry  is  forbidden.  The  Lord  has  given  much 
instruction  to  the  Latter-day  Saints  concerning  the 
intercourse  of  the  sexes.  They  are  required  to  keep 
themselves  strictly  within  their  marriage  covenants. 

From  the  sacred  writings,  it  would  appear  that  in 
all  dispensations  of  the  Priesthood,  the  laws  regulat- 
ing this  matter  have  been  substantially  the  same,  and 
have  been  calculated  to  strictly  guard  the  issues  of 
life;  that  all  those  who  would' keep  them  might  be 
"perfect  in  their  generations  " 

If,  on  the  one  hand,  what  the  Lord  does  is  eternal, 
because  he  is  an  eternal  and  infinite  being,  then  what 
man  does  of  himself,  he  being  finite,  must  be  limited  to 
this  life.  Therefore,  it  is  necessary  that  man  and 
wife,  to  be  eternally  united,  should  be  married  in  the 
way  God  has  appointed,  and  by  a  man  whom  he  has 
authorized  to  act  in  his  stead. 

It  would  not  be  consistent  with  the  character  of 
God,  as  the  spiritual  and  natural  father  of  mankind, 
to  have  no  law  regulating  the  marriages  of  his  child- 
ren, that  they  might  be  crowned  with  the  blessings 
of  eternal  life  and  increase. 

The  Lord  brought  Abraham  forth  abroad,  **And 
said,  Look  now  toward  heaven,  and  tell  the  stars, 


122  ^i'ARRIAGE. 

if  thou  be  able  to  number  them:  and  he  said  unto 
him,  So  shall  thy  seed  be;"  Gen,  15.  5.  This  was  a 
promise  of  infinite  and  eternal  increase.  If  we 
could  count  the  stars,  and  grasp  infinitude,  we 
might  comprehend  the  result  of  the  promise. 

We  find  that  the  Lord  confirmed  blessings  to 
Abraham,  and  to  his  seed,  by  recorded  ordinance 
and  covenant.  For  this  reason  it  is  not  probable  that 
a  blessing  of  such  magnitude,  as  the  seahng  upon 
man  and  wife  the  power  of  eternal  increase,  is  an  ex- 
ception. Abraham,  in  his  own  record,  translated  by 
Joseph  the  Seer,  says,  "I  sought  for  the  blessings 
of  the  fathers,  and  the  right  whereunto  I  should  be 
ordained  to  administer  the  same."  One  of  these 
blessings  was,  "To  be  a  father  of  many  nations,  a 
prince  of  peace;"  P,  of  G.  P. ^ page  26. 

Abraham  understood  that  this  right  could  only  be 
bestowed  by  ordination,  by  one  of  the  fathers  who 
had  received  it  from  the  fathers  in  regular  descent 
from  Adam.  He  states  thai  this  right  was  conferred 
upon  him  from  the  fathers,  according  to  his  desire. 
That  this  right  included  the  authority  to  regulate  the 
marriage  relations,  in  the  future  generations  of  his 
children,  is  evident  from  the  further  statement,  '*  I 
sought  for  mine  appointment  unto  the  Priesthood 
according  to  the  appointment  of  God  unto  the 
fathers  concerning  the  seed."  That  is,  he  sought 
for  that  especial  authority  in  the  Priesthood,  through 
which  he  had  obtained  the  power  of  eternal  increase. 
The  priest's  orlice  was  bestowed  upon  Aaron  and 
his  posterity  forever,  by  ordinance  and  covenant; 
Exodus  dfi.  15.  Could  this  have  been  the  case  un- 
less his  posterity  was  made  an  eternal  heritage 
through  the  everlasting  covenant  of  marriage?  This 
power  of  uniting  husband  and  wife  by  an  everlasting 
covenant  of  marriage,  and  by  that  ordinance  giving 
them  an  eternal  right  over  their  posterity,  descended 
from  Abraham  through  the  fathers,  until  Israel,  by 
transgression,  forfeited  the  blessing. 

From  the  sharpness  with  wliich  the  prophet 
Nathan  reproved  David,  and  the  statement  that  the 
Lord  had  given  him  the  wives  of  his  master  Saul; 


MARRIAGE.  1 23 

2  Sam,  12.  I — 12,  it  is  probable  that  the  prophet  held 
this  authority. 

The  great  sin  of  David,  apart  from  the  murder  of 
Uriah,  was,  that  he  had  taken  from  another  man  that 
which  the  Lord  had  given  him,  and  stepped  outside 
of  his  own  covenant  limits. 

Whether  the  prophet  Malachi  held  the  keys  of 
this  power  or  not,  he  evidently  saw  in  prophetic 
vision,  that  it  would  be  taken  from  the  earth,  and  be 
restored  again,  that  the  broken  links  of  past  genera- 
tions might  be  welded  together.  For  the  Lord  said, 
through  him,  ''  I  will  send  you  Elijah  the  prophet 
before  the  coming  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of 
the  Lord:  and  he  shall  turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers 
to  the  children,  and  the  heart  of  the  children  to 
their  fathers,  lest  I  come  and  smite  the  earth  with  a 
curse;"  4.  5,6.  Or  as  it  is  rendered  in  P.  of  G, 
/*.,  page  50,  "And  he  shall  plant  in  the  hearts  of  the 
children,  the  promises  made  to  the  fathers,  and  the 
hearts  of  the  children  shall  turn  to  their  fathers;  if 
it  were  not  so,  the  whole  earth  would  be  utterly 
wasted  at  his  coming." 

Evidently  a  very  important  part  of  these  prom- 
ises was,  that  the  children  would  open  up  the  way  of 
salvation  to  the  fathers,  through  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel,  and  through  them  the  broken  links  of 
past  generations  would  be  connected. 

Centuries  of  darkness  passed  away  in  which  we 
hear  nothing  of  the  order  of  the  holy  Priesthood,  or 
of  any  saving  ordinances  for  the  dead,  when  an  ob- 
scure man,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  appeared  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  claimed  that  to  him 
was  committed  the  authority  to  open  up  the  Dispen- 
sation of  the  fulness  of  times,  in  which  all  the  keys 
and  powers  of  the  holy  Priesthood  should  be  restored 
to  the  earth. 

He  professed  to  be  a  fulfiller  of  prophecy,  and 
numerous  facts,  which  have  become  a  part  of  history, 
prove  him  to  be  what  he  professed.  He  asserts  that 
m  the  temple  in  Kirtland,  Ohio,  Elias  appeared  and 
.committed  the  dispensation  of  the  '^^(jspel  of  Abra- 
K'»m,"  "  Saying,  that  in  us,  and  our  seed,  all  gener.*- 


124  MARRIAGE. 

tions  after  us  should  be  blest."  In  this  we  see  the 
needed  preparatory  work  for  sealing,  upon  men 
the  power  of  eternal  lives,  through  the  everlasting 
covenant  of  marriage,  through  which  Abraham 
sought  "T(5  be  a  father  of  many  nations." 

Then  at  the  same  place  appeared  Elijah,  and  said, 
"Behold,  the  time  has  fully  come,  which  was  spoken 
of  by  the  mouth  of  Malachi,  testifying  that  he 
(Elijah)  should  be  sent  before  the  great  and  dread- 
ful day  of  the  Lord  come.  To  turn  the  hearts  of 
the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  children  to 
the  fathers,  lest  the  whole  earth  be  smitten  with 
a  curse.  Therefore  the  keys  of  this  dispensation 
are  committed  into  your  hands;"  Doc  &^  Cov. 
no.  II — 16.  Thus  we  see  that  the  way  has  been 
opened  for  the  complete  reunion  and  salvation  of  all 
the  generations  or  men,  through  the  keys  of  the 
Holy  Priesthood  which  have  been  bestowed  upon 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun.  This  is  the  designed  glorious 
culmination  of  the  New  and  Everlasting  Covenant 
of  Marriage — the  eternal  union  of  the  generations  of 
the  righteous  in  bonds  never  to  be  broken. 

In  Doc.  (Sr*  Cov.  sec.  128.  Joseph,  the  Seer,  gives 
instructions  for  restoring  the  past;  in  sec.  132,  he 
tells  the  world  how  future  generations  may  come  forth 
in  unbroken  succession,  each  succeeding  inteUigence, 
the  heritage  of  its  fathers,  worlds  without  end. 


PLURALITY   OF    WIVES. 


Plural  marriage  is  a  very  ancient  institution.  Al- 
though generally  ignored  by  peoples  professing  mod- 
ern Christianity,  it  is  still  customary  among  a  large 
portion  of  the  family  of  man.  Many  customs  of 
modern  Europe  and  America  are  modeled  after  those 
of  pagan  Greece  and  Rome,  instead  of  after  the 
primitive  patriarchs,  or  after  the  examples  recorded 
in  the  history  of  ancient  Israel. 


MARRIAGE.  1 25 

While  these  ancient  nations  were  monogamists, 
the  limits  of  intercourse  between  the  sexes,  especially- 
on  the  part  of  men,  were  very  indefinite.  This  phase  of 
society  is  quite  characteristic  of  the  modern  natiors 
of  Europe  and  America.  While  the  Christian  sec^s 
of  to-day  profess  some  respect  for  the  patriarchs  of 
Israel,  they  practically  condemn  their  family  rela- 
tions as  corrupt  and  immoral. 

If  plural  marria,u:e  be  unlawful,  then  is  the  whole 
plan  of  salvation,  through  the  house  of  Israel,  a  fail- 
ure, and  the  entire  fabric  of  Christianity  without 
foundation. 

God  said  to  Abraham,  "I  am  the  Almighty  God; 
walk  before  me,  and  be  thou  perfect.  And  I  will 
make  my  covenant  between  me  and  thee,  and  will 
multiply  thee  exceedingly.  And  Abram  fell  on  his 
face:  and  God  talked  with  him,  saying,  as  for  me,  be- 
hold, my  covenant  is  with  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  a 
father  of  many  nations;"  Gen.  17.  i — 4. 

Here  we  are  informed  that  God  talked  with  Abra- 
ham, told  him  to  be  perfect,  bestowed  upon  him  the 
blessings  of  a  numerous  posterity,  and,  as  a  se- 
quence, future  power  and  glory.  If  polygamy  was 
contrary  to  his  law,  it  is  remarkable  that  God  should 
have  condescended  to  talk  with  and  greatly  bless  a 
man  who  had,  but  a  short  time  before,  taken  a  second 
wife,  while  the  first  was  living;  a  fact  of  which  we  are 
informed  in  the  second  and  third  verses  of  the  previ- 
ous chapter.  If  this  was  criminal,  Sarai,  the  mother 
of  all  Israel,  was  involved  in  the  transgression,  for 
she  gave  Hagar  to  her  husband  for  a  wife;  Gen.  16.  3. 

The  Lord  told  Joseph,  the  Seer,  that  he  com- 
manded, "And  Sarah  gave  Hagar  to  Abraham  to 
wii'e;^'  /^oc.Qr'  Gov.  132.  34.  This  is  also  the  testi- 
mony of  Josephus,  the  Jewish  historian;  Ant.  B.  i. 
C.  10. 

When  Hagar  was  in  distress,  on  account  of  diffi- 
culty with  her  mistress,  the  Lord  did  not  treat  her  ^s 
a  profane,  cast  off  woman,  but  sent  an  angel  to  coun- 
sel and  comfort  her,  by  assuring  her  that  her  posterity 
should  not  be  numbered  for  multitude;    Gen.    16. 


126  MARRIAGE. 

The  Lord  further  promised  to  bless  Ishmael,  the 
fruit  of  this  polygamic  marriage,  and  said,  ''I  will 
make  him  fruitful,  and  will  multiply  him  exceedingly; 
twelve  princes  shall  he  beget  and  I  will  make  him  a 
great  nation;"  17.20. 

We  find  that  this  great  and  good  man,  Abraham, 
whom  the  Lord  especially  favored,  had  concubines: 
for  ^'Unto  the  sons  of  the  concubines,  which  Abra- 
ham had,  Abraham  gave  gifts,  and  sent  them  away 
from  Lsaac  his  son  5.^"" ^5.  6. 

Jacob,  the  grandson  and  heir  to  all  the  blessings 
of  Abraham,  was  a  polygamist.  He  served  seven 
years  for  Rachel  the  daughter  of  Laban,  but  being 
deceived,  and  Leah  given  him  instead,  he  served 
other  seven  years  for  Rachel.  Each  of  these  wives 
had  a  handmaid,  which  they  gave  to  their  husband 
for  wives;  Gen.  29.  18 — 35.     Chap.  30.  3 — 12. 

Moses  was  conversant  with  the  Lord,  and  was  the 
great  lawgiver  of  Israel;  in  his  laws  especial  provis- 
ion was  made  for  polygamous  children;  Deut.  21.  15 
— 17.  In  them  polygamy  is  not  mentioned  as  one  of 
the  crimes  for  which  penalties  were  provided. 

Elkanah  was  a  polygamist,  yet  his  son,  Samuel, 
was  a  great  prophet,  and  judge  in  Israel.  He  was 
born,  and  lived  under  the  special  favor  of  God. 

David,  king  of  Israel,  was  the  chosen  of  the  Lord; 
I  Sam.  16.  12,  13.  He  took  Abigail  and  Ahinoam, 
*^And  they  were  also  both  of  ihem  his  wives;"  i  Sam. 
25.  42,  43.  He  *'Took  him  more  concubines  and 
wives  out  of  Jerusalem;"  2  Satn.  5.  13. 

We  are  further  informed,  that  "  David  did  that 
which  was  right  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  turned 
not  aside  from  anything  that  he  commanded  him  all 
the  days  of  his  life,  save  only  in  the  matter  of  Uriah 
the  Hittite;"  i  Kings  15.  5.  In  this  passage  we  have 
an  assurance  that  David  did  right  in  taking  all  his 
wives  and  concubines,  except  in  one  instance,  for 
jvhich  he  was  severely  chasdsed.  When  Nathan, 
the  prophet,  reproved  him  for  this  sin,  he  said  to  him, 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  "  I  gave  -thee  thy  master's 
house,  and  thy  master's  wives  into  thy  bosom;"  2 
Sam,  12.  8. 


MARRIAGE.  12; 

After  having  repented  and  suffered  for  his  sin, 
Bath-sheba  was  given  him  for  a  wife,  and  she  baie 
Solomon;  verse  2/^,  The  Lord  appeared  to  this  son 
of  a  plural  wife  in  a  dream,  and  bestowed  upon  him 
great  blessings;  i  Kings  3.  God  gave  him  "Wisdom 
and  understanding  exceeding  much;"  i  Kings  ^.  29. 
He  was  not  reproved  for  plural  marriage  but  for 
marrying  strange  wives,  who  led  him  into  idolatry 
and  wickedness;  i  Kings  11.  Many  chief  men  in 
Israel,  to  whom  the  Lord  manifested  his  favor,  were 
polygamists. 

The  following  is  sometimes  quoted  as  an  argu- 
ment against  plural  marriage:  "For  this  cause  shall  a 
man  leave  his  father  and  mother,  and  cleave  to  his 
wife;  and  they  twain  shall  be  one  f^esh;"  Mark  10.  7, 
8.  But  '*  Know  ye  not  that  he  which  is  joined  to  a  har- 
lot is  one  body?  for  two,  saith  he,  shall  be  one  liesh;" 
I  Cor,  6.  16,  shows  that  it  has  no  connection  with  the 
subject. 

"A  bishop  then  must  be  blameless,  the  husband 
of  one  wife;"  i  Tim.  3.  2,  and  let  deacons  be  the 
husbands  of  one  wife;  verse  12,  are  supposed  by 
some  to  limit  ofhceis  in  the  church,  and  by  inference 
all  men,  to  one  wife.  But  when  the  passages  are 
taken  in  connection  with  the  context,  which  is  an 
enumeration  of  several  qualifications  necessary  for 
bishops  and  deacons,  there  is  but  one  reasonable 
construction — that  these  officers  of  the  church 
should  be  married  men. 

The  Latter-day  Saints  believe  that  all  men  should 
marry;  Doc.  <2r^  Cov.  49.  15 — 17.  The  Lord  is  "of 
purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil,  and  can.  not  look  upon 
iniquity;"  Hab.  i.  13;  and  says,  that  "A  br.stard 
shall  not  enter  into  the  congregation  of  the  Lord; 
even  to  his  tenth  generation;"  Deut.  23.  2.  Yet  the 
patriarchs  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel  were  the 
sons  of  four  wives  of  Jacob;  Gen,  35.  22 — 26. 

Joseph,  the  first  son  of  Rachel,  the  second  wife 
of  Jacob,  receixed  especial  blessings;  6^^«.  49.  22 — 
26.  The  Lord  called  to  Samuel,  the  son  of  a 
polygamous  father;  i  Safn.  ^.4-^14.  Solomon  was 
the  soa  of  a  potygamist,  yet  ne  was  a.  child  of  prom- 


128  MAKIIIAGE. 

ise;  I  Chron.  22.  9,  10.  Jesus  Christ  was  descended 
from  David  through  Solomon  the  son  of  her  who  had 
been  the  wife  ot  Uriah;  Matt.  i.  i — 17. 

The  Lord  said  to  Isaiah,  "Lift  up  thy  voice  like  a 
trumpet,  and  show  my  people  their  transgressions, 
and  the  house  of  Jacob  their  sins;"  58.  i.  This  com- 
mission was  to  be  faithfully  executed;  Ezek,  3.  18. 
Polygamy  was  common  in  the  Jewish  nation,  yet 
none  of  the  prophets  reproved  them  for  it;  but  they 
were  sharply  reproved  for  adultery,  whoredom,  forni- 
cation, and  other  sins;  Jer.  5.  7,  8,  23.  Ezek*  22. 
Chap,  23.  36—44. 

History  evidences  that  plurality  of  wives  was  gen- 
erally customary  among  the  nations  of  Asia,  yet  it  is 
not  condemned  in  any  of  the  epistles  of  the  apostles, 
nor  does  John  the  Revelator  mention  it  in  the  letters 
he  was  commanded  to  write  to  the  seven  churches  of 
Asia. 

Paul  mentions  nearly  every  crime,  in  i  Cor,  6.  9, 
10,  but,  says  nothing  about  plurality  of  wives.  Every 
species  of  commerce  between  the  sexes,  outside  of 
marriage,  is  often  mentioned  in  the  scriptures  as 
crime,  but  plural  marriage  is  never,  except  on  the 
part  of  the  woman,  who  is  forbidden  to  marry  another 
man  during  the  lifetime  of  her  husband;  Rom.  7.  3. 

Had  plurality  of  wives  been  sinful  in  man,  the  in- 
ference is  reasonable  that  it  would  have  been  equally 
condemned.  Although  plural  marriage  was  custom- 
ary in  the  days  of  the  patriarchs,  some  assert  that  it 
was  done  away  in  Christ.  This  would  seem  very  in- 
consistent when  he  himself  was  of  a  polygamous  lin- 
eage. He  was  born  and  filled  his  earthly  mission 
among  a  polygamous  people,  yet,  he  never  reproved 
them  for  their  plural  marriages.  There  is  nothing  in 
the  inspired  writings  to  infer  that  he  reproved  or  did 
away  with  either  polygamy  or  monogamy.  The 
following  is  from  the  Book  of  Mormon  on  this  sub- 
ject: The  Lord,  through  dreams  and  visions  and  the 
ministry  of  angels,  directed  a  Jewish  prophet  by  the 
name  of  Lehi,  to  leave  Jerusalem,  600  years  B.  C, 
with  his  family  and  others,  for  the  purpose  of  colon- 
izing Americ*. 


MARRIAGE.  1 29 

It  was  then  a  dark  period  in  the  history  of  Israel, 
as  is  evident  from  the  Bible  history  of  the  times,  and 
from  the  opening  chapters  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 

The  brilliant  reign  of  Solomon  had  deeply  planted 
in  Israel  the  sins  of  idolatry  and  sexual  wickedness. 
His  reign  was  the  pride  of  Israel,  and  its  effects  were 
deep  and  lasting.  It  hastened  the  destruction  of  the 
ten  tribes/  as  a  people,  some  one  hundred  and 
twenty  years  before  the  exodus  of  Lehi,  and  at  that 
time  was  about  to  culminate  in  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem  and  in  the  Babylonish  captivity. 

With  all  his  wisdom,  Solomon  had  disobeyed  two 
very  important  commandments,  one  especially  to  the 
kings  of  Israel:  **  Neither  shall,  he  multiply  wives 
to  himself,  that  his  heart  turn  not  away;"  Veut,  17. 
17.  The  other  was  to  all  Israel,  that  they  should  not 
marry  into  the  idolatrous  nations  around  them:  "Nei- 
ther shalt  thou  make  marriages  with  them;  thy 
daughter  thou  shalt  not  give  unto  his  son,  nor  his 
daughter  shalt  thou  take  unto  thy  son;"  Deut.  7.3. 
Ezra,  chapters  9.  10. 

Through  disobedience  to  these  injunctions,  his 
heart  had  turned  away  from  the  Lord,  and  he  had 
been  led  into  idolatry  and  wi(5kedness.  At  his  death 
he  not  only  left  the  influence  of  his  personal  exam- 
ple, but,  also,  a  numerous  family  who,  from  their 
great  wealth  and  high  social  position,  must  have  ex- 
ercised a  powerful  and  lasting  influence  for  evil, 
which,  with  other  causes,  resulted,  in  less  than  three 
hundred  years,  in  the  scattering  of  the  ten  tribes 
among  the  nations  of  Asia,  and  the  occupation  of 
their  country  by  strangers,  and  in  less  than  four 
hundred  years,  in  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  and 
in  the  Babylonish  captivity. 

The  sexual  wickedness  which  had  become  preva- 
lent in  Israel,  and  the  consequent  abuse  of  the  mar- 
riage relations,  was,  evidently,  the  reason  why  the 
Lord  commanded  that  the  children  of  Lehi  should 
have  but  one  wife,  for  he  said  to  the  Nephites, 
through  his  prophet  Jacob,  "  This  people  begin  to 
wax  In  iniquity;  they  understand  not  the  scriptures; 
for  they   seek  to   excuse  themselves  in  committing 


130  MARRIAGE. 

whoredoms,  because  of  the  things  which  were  writ- 
ten concerning  David,  and  Solomon  his  son;"  2.  23. 

That  is,  they  excused  themselves  with  the  oJiKam- 
ple  of  these  kings  for  breaking  the  special  command 
of  God  to  them,  that  they  should  have  but  one  wife, 
and  like  those  eminent  persons,  ran  into  excess  and 
wickedness,  as  their  fathers  had  done  before  them. 

To  neutralize  the  evil  effects  of  the  bad  example  of 
their  fathers  was  evidently  the  reason  why  the  Lord 
commanded  the  Nephites,  *^  For  there  shall  not  any 
man  among  you  have  save  it  be  one  wife;  and  concu- 
bines he  shall  have  none;"  verse  27.  Plural  marriage 
would  have  been  whoredom  to  the  Nephites,  be- 
cause the  Lord  had  forbidden  it. 

That  the  prophet  Jacob  foresaw,  prophetically,  that 
at  some  future  period  this  restriction  would  be  taken 
off  is  evident  from  verse  30,  "  For  if  I  will,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  raise  up  seed  unto  me.  I  will  com- 
mand my  people;  otherwise  they  shall  hearken  unto 
these  things."  That  is,  they  were  required  to  limit 
themselves  to  one  wife,  until  the  Lord  should  order  it 
otherwise,  and  by  implication,  when  he  instructed 
them  to  take  more  than. one  wife,  it  would  be  justifi- 
able 

In  the  thirty-first  verse  the  Lord  gives  a  reason  for 
forbidding  plural  marriage  among  the  Nephites, 
"  For  behold,  I,  the  Lord,"have  seen  the  sorrow,  and 
heard  the  mourning  of  the  daughters  of  my  people 
in  the  land  of  Jerusalem ;  yea,  and  in  all  the  lands 
of  my  people,  because  of  the  wickedness  and  abomi- 
nations of  their  husbands."- 

These  teachings  of  the  prophet  Jacob  cannot  be 
presumed,  even  by  opposers  of  plural  marriage,  to  do 
away  with  the  tenor  of  the  Jewish  Scriptures,  for  we 
are  informed  in  2  Nefthi  3.  12,  that  the  record  of  the 
Jews  and  of  the  Nephites,  should  grow  together  unto 
the  confounding  of  false  doctrine  in  the  latter-days. 

The  prophet  Jacob  could  not  have  intended  to 
condemn  a  principle  on  which  is  based  the  legitimacy 
of  our  Savior,  of  prophets  and  patriarchs,  and  indeed 
of  the  whole  house  of  Israel.  The  words  "multiply." 
and    *'greatly,"    in  Deut.    17.    17,    evidently    imply 


MARRIAGE.  I3I 

excess  and  unreasonable  indulgence,  as  in  the  case 
of  David  and  Uriah,  and  in  taking  strange  women, 
as  in  the  case  of  Solomon. 

The  absurdity  of  the  argument  that  these  passages 
imply  that  a  man  should  have  but  one  wife,  is  evident 
from  the  previous  verse,  that  the  kings  of  Israel 
should  ''not  multiply  horses  to  themselves."  No  one 
would  be  so  unreasonable  as  to  suppose  that  the  Lord 
designed  to  limit  the  kings  of  Israel  to  one  horse. 

The  Lord  gave  Joseph  Smith  a  very  important 
revelation  on  this  subject.  It  is  contained  inSec,  132, 
Boc.  «Sr*  Cov,  It  is  entitled  a  ^'Revelation  on  the 
Eternity  of  the  Marriage  Covenant,  Including 
Plurality  of  Wives." 

It  commences  by  stating  that  the  prophet  Joseph 
Smith,  Jun.,  inquired  of  the  Lord,  how  it  was  that  his 
servants  anciently  were  justified  in  having  many 
wives  and  concubines.  The  Lord  did  not  answer  his 
question  at  once,  but  tells  him,  in  the  third  verse,  to 
prepare  his  heart  to  receive  and  obey  the  instructions 
he  was  about  to  give  him. 

In  the  fourth  verse  the  Lord  said  to  him,  "I  reveal 
unto  you  a  new  and  an  everlasting  covenant."  We 
find  the  general  principle  involved  in  that  covenant, 
directly  stated  in  the  seventh,  thirteenth  and  four- 
teenth verses: 

"And  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  conditions  of 
this  law  are  these: — All  covenants,  contracts,  bonds, 
obligations,  oaths,  vows,  performances,  connections, 
associations,  or  expectations,  that  are  not  made,  and 
entered  into,  and  sealed,  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
promise,  of  him  who  is  anointed,  both  as  well  for 
time  arid  for  all  eternity,  and  that  too  most  holy,  by 
revelation  and  commandment  through  the  medium  of 
mine  anointed,  whom  I  have  appointed  on  the  earth 
to  hold  this  power,  fand  I  have  appointed  unto  my 
servant  Joseph  to  hold  this  power  in  the  last  days, 
and  there  is  never  but  one  on  the  earth  at  a  time,  on 
whom  this  power  and  the  keys  of  this  Priesthood  are 
conferred,)  are  of  no  efficacy,  virtue  or  force,  in  and 
after  the  resurrection  from  the  dead ;  for  all  contracts 
that  are  not  made  unto  this  end,  have  an  end  when 


132  MARRIAGE. 

men  are  dead.  *  *  *  ♦  And  everything 
that  is  in  the  world,  whether  it  be  ordained  of  men, 
by  thrones,  or  principalities,  or  powers,  or  things  of 
name,  whatsoever  they  may  be,  that  are  not  by  me, 
or  by  my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  shall  be  thrown  down, 
and  shall  not  remain  after  men  are  dead,  neither  in 
nor  after  the  resurrection,  saith  the  Lord  your  God; 
for  whatsoever  things  remain,  are  by  me;  "and  what- 
soever things  are  not  by  me,  shall  be  shaken  and  des- 
troyed." ^  We  find  a  direct  application  of  this  law  to 
the  marriage  relations  in  verses  15  and  19:  "If  a 
man  marry  him  a  wife  in  the  world,  and  he  marry  her 
not  by  me,  nor  by  my  word;  and  he  covenant  with 
her  so  long  as  he  is  in  the  world,  and  she  with  him, 
their  covenant  and  marriage  are  not  of  force  when 
they  are  dead,  and  when  they  are  out  of  the  world; 
therefore,  they  are  not  bound  by  any  law  when  they 
are  out  of  the  world.  *  *  *^  And  again,  verily  I 
say  unto  you,  if  a  man  marry  a  wife  by  my  word,  which 
is  my  law,  and  by  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant, 
and  it  is  sealed  unto  them  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
promise,  by  him  who  is  anointed,  unto  whom  I  have 
appointed  this  power,  and  the  keys  of  this  Priest- 
hood; and  it  shall  be  said  unto  them,  ye  shall  come 
forth  in  the  first  resurrection ;  and  if  it  be  after  the 
first  resurrection,  in  the  next  resurrection;  and  shall 
inherit  thrones,  kingdoms,  principalities,  and  powers, 
dominions,  all  heights  and  depths — then  shall  it  be 
written  in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life,  that  he  shall 
commit  no  murder  whereby  to  shed  innocent  blood, 
and  if  ye  abide  in  my  covenant,  and  commit  no  mur- 
der whereby  to  shed  innocent  blood,  it  shall  be  done 
unto  them  in  all  things  whatsoever  my  servant  hath 
put  upon  them,  in  tim.e,  and  through  all  eternity,  and 
shall  be  of  full  force  when  they  are  out  of  the  world ; 
and  they  shall  pass  by  the  angels,  and  the  Gods,  which 
are  set  there,  to  their  exaltation  and  glory  in  all 
things,  as  hath  been  sealed  upon  their  heads,  which 
glory  shall  be  a  fulness  and  a  continuation  of  the 
seeds  forever  and  ever." 

The   above  quotations  evidence,  that  only  those 
who  comply  with  the  law  wfll  continue  in  the  marriage 


MARRIAGE.  I33 

relations  after  death ;  consequently  only  those  who 
comply  with  the  law  can  expect  a  continuation  of 
posterity  in  the  world  to  come,  and  the  consequent 
glory  and  power  pertaining  to  that  condition. 

The  law  of  the  Lord  is  very  plain  on  this  subject. 
Who  can  question  his  right  to  dictate  the  marriages 
of  his  sons  and  daughters,  that  they  and  their  gener- 
tions  may  be  fitted  for  his  presence? 

In  verse  29,  the  Lord  begins  to  answer  the  ques- 
tion in  the  first  verse:  "Abraham  received  all  things, 
whatsoever  he  received,  by  revelation  and  command- 
ment." **  God  commanded  Abraham,  and  Sarah  gave 
Hagar  to  Abraham  to  wife;"  verse  34.  That  is,  God 
commanded  Abraham  to  receive  Hagar  and  com- 
manded his  already  covenant  wife  to  give  her  hand- 
maid to  him.  *^And  why  did  she  do  it?  Because  this 
was  the  law."  The  reason  why  Abraham  was  not 
uncier  condemnation,  is  very  forcibly  expressed  in 
the  latter  part  oi  verse  y^\  '*For  I,  the  Lord,  com- 
manded it."  In  verses  36 — 39,  the  principle  is  well 
elucidated,  that,  in  nothing  did  the  ancients  sin  ex- 
cept in  things  which  they  received  not  of  God. 

In  verse  40,  the  Lord  says  to  Joseph,  the  Seer: 
"I  gave  unto  thee,  my  servant  Joseph,  an  appoint- 
ment, and  restore  all  things."  And  from  the  tenor 
of  the  Revelation,  "all  things"  must  include  plural- 
ity of  wives  and  the  eternity  of  the  marriage  cove- 
nant. 

This  subject  may  be  readily  summed  up  as  follows : 
If  a  man  has  a  wife  in  the  world  to  come,  she  will  be 
a  gift  from  the  Lord,  through  the  covenants  he  has 
ordained,  and  that  man  is  justifiable  in  receiving  all 
the  wives  the  Lord  sees  fit  to  give  him,  through  the 
authority  he  has  appointed  on  tne  earth. 

Many  elders  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  have  been 
commanded,  as  was  Abraham,  to  enter  into  plural 
marriage,  and  disobedience  becomes  transgression. 
Hence  it  involves  a  religious  principle,  and  oecomes 
a  matter  of  conscience.  "Thou  shalt  love  thy  wife 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  shalt  cleave  unto  her  and  none 
else;"  Doc.  &^  Cov.  42.  22,  is  sometimes  referred  to 
as  an  argument  against  plural  marriage. 


134  MARRIAGE. 

If  it  would  admit  of  this  construction,  it  would  not 
be  valid  as  an  argument,  from  the  fact,  that  the  reve- 
lation of  which  it  forms  a  part  was  given  previous  to 
that  on  the  plurality  and  eternity  of  the  marriage  re- 
lations, and  consequently,  before  the  church  was  pre- 
pared to  receive  such  a  revelation.  It  evidently  ad- 
mits of  the  construction,  that  a  man  may  have  more 
than  one  wife,  and  yet  cleave  to  none  but  his  wife. 
That  is,  it  forbids  all  sexual  commerce  outside  of 
the  marriage  covenant. 


Gen.  16.  1,  2,  3  Saral  gave  Hagar  to  Abraham. 
15  Hagar  bare  Abraham  a  son. 

20.  17  the  Lord  healed  the  wife  and  maidservants  of  Abime- 
lech. 

36.  2  Esau  took  wives  of  the  daughters  of  Canaan. 
38.  8  Judah  said  to  Onan,  go  in  unto  thy  brother's  wife. 
Exo.  2.  21  Moses  married  Zipporah,  daughter  of  the  priest  ol 
Midian. 

21.  10  and  if  he  take  him  another  wife. 

Num.  12.  1  Moses  married  an  Ethiopian  woman. 
Judges  7.  Gideon  delivered  Israel  from  bondage  through  the 
favor  of  God. 

8.  30  Gideon  had  three  score  and  ten  sons  and  many  wives. 

9.  5  Jenibbaal  had  seventy  sons. 

10.  3, 4  Jair,  a  judge  in  Israel,  had  thirty  sons. 
12.  13. 14  Abdon,  a  judge  in  rsrael,  had  forty  sons. 

2  Sam.  19.  5  and  the  lives  of  thy  wives  and  the  lives  of  thy 
concubines. 

1  Kings  8.  10, 11  the  glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the  house. 
9.  3  the  Lord  told  Solomon  that  his  prayer  was  answered. 
20.  7  for  he  sent  unto  me  for  mv  wives. 

1  Chron.  4.  5  Asliiir,  the  father  of  Tekoa,  had  two  wives. 

7.  4  for  they  liad  many  wives  and  sons. 

8.  8  Shaharaim  had  two  wives. 

2  Chron.  11.  21  Rehoboam  had  eighteen  wives  and  three  score 
concui>ines. 

13.  21  Abijah  married  fourteen  wives. 
24.  3  Jehoiada,  the  priest  of  God,  took  two  wives. 
Psalm  i.5.  9  king's     daughters    were    among    thy    honorable 
women. 

Isa.  4.  1  in  that  day  seven  women  shall  take  hold  of  one  man. 
Hos.  1.  2  go  take  thee  a  wife  of  whoredoms. 

See  Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,  7.  of  D.,  Vol.    /,  page    S3- 
'*  "  B.   YoNTigy'^       *•  '*       /.     "     //2. 

•♦  ••  <9.  Hyde,  "  "       2,     "       75* 


MARRIAGE. 

ermoti  by  B, 

You}]g,        ' '             ' 

'       2, 

•      88, 

t            .'. 

i<                 <i              1 

'       3. 

'     264. 

••  a 

Praft, 

'         0, 

'    349' 

*            ••  Geo.  A,  Smith,''             ' 

•     ^J. 

*      J7- 

••  O. 

Pratt, 

*     ^J. 

••     T83 

••  G. 

Q,  Cannon t''             ' 

'     ^Sf 

•     ^97- 

135 


Article,  by  P.  P,  Pratt,  MIL  Star,  Vol,  5,  fage  i8g. 

History  of  Marriage  among  the  yews.  Mil.  Star,  Vol,  ij, 
pages  263,  282,  2g6,  316,  324,  350,  365,  377. 

Milton  on  Polygamy,  MiL  Star,  Vol,  16,  pa^es  321,  342, 

Article,  '*  Marriage  Ritual  of  the  Church  of  England** 
by  J.  A,  Little,  Mil,  Star,  Vol,  '18,  page  177. 

Address  by  P,  P,  Pratt,  before  joint  session  of  Utah  Legis- 
lature, Mil,  Star,  Vol,  18,  page  337, 

History  of  y.  Smith,  May  16,  1843. 

A  pamphlet  entitled,  '*  On  Marriage,"  by  yohn  Taylor, 


CONCUBINES. 


A  concubine  "  In  scripture  signifies  a  wife  of  the 
second  rank,  who  was  inferior  to  the  matron,  or 
mistress  of  the  house. 

**  The  chief  wives  differed  from  the  concubines  in 
that  they  were  taken  into  covenant  with  their  hus- 
band by  solemn  stipulation,  and  with  consent  and 
rejoicing  of  friends. 

**  They  brought  with  them  dowries  to  their  hus- 
bands- They  had  the  government  of  their  families 
under  and  with  their  husbands.  The  inheritance 
belonged  to  the  children  brought  forth  b>^  them. 

"  Though  the  children  of  the  concubines  did  not 

inherit  their  father's  estate,  yet  the  father  in  his  life 

time  provided  for  them,  and  made  presents  to  them: 

Thus  Sarah  was  Abraham's  wife  of  whom  he  had 

Isaac,  the  heir  of  all  his  wealth.     But  he  had  be- 


136  MARRIAGE. 

sides  two  concubines,  namely,  Hagar  <^;?<^  Keturah ; 
of  these  he  had  children^  whom  he  distinguished  from 
Isaac,  and  made  presents  to  them;"  {see  Concubine^ 
Cru.  Concor.) 

Although  Hagar  is  considered  a  concubine  in  the 
above  quotation,  yet,  according  to  Cruden's  definition, 
she  was  a  wife  of  the  second  degree.  She  is  no- 
where called  a  concubine  in  the  scripture,  but  em- 
phatically a  wife. 

"  And  Sarai,  Abram's  wife,  took  Hagar  her  maid, 
the  Egyptian,  *  *  and  gave  her  to  her  husband 
Abram  to  be  his  wife;"  Gen.  16.  3.  That  this  con- 
dition of  wifehood  did  not  change  the  former  relations 
of  mistress  and  servant,  between  Sarai  and  Hagar, 
is  evident  from  7ferse  9.  The  angel  said  to  Hagar, 
"  Return  to  thy  mistress,  and  submit  thyself  under 
her  hands." 

That  Keturah  was  Abraham's  wife  is  evident 
from  the  fact,  that  she  is  called  his  wife  in  Gen,  25. 
I :  and  that  she  was  also  called  his  concubine,  appears 
from  I  Chron.  i.  32.  That  concubine  and  wife  were 
synonymous  terms,  further  appears  from  the  declara- 
tion of  Nathan,  the  prophet,  to  David,  ^'  I  will  take 
thy  wives  before  thine  eyes,  and  give  thetn  unto  thy 
neighbor,  and  he  shall  lie  with  thy  wives  in  the  sight 
of  this  sun;"  2  Sam^,  12.  11.  In  the  account  of  the 
fulfilment  of  this  prophecy,  these  wives  are  called 
concubines.  ^*And  Absalom  went  in  unto  his  father's 
concubines  in  the  sight  of  all  Israel;"  16.  22. 

The  Nephites,  whose  ancestors  colonized  America 
600  years  before  Christ,  did  not  forget  the  custom  of 
their  Jewish  fathers;  for  when  they  broke  the  special 
commandment  of  the  Lord  to  them,  by  taking  more 
than  one  wife,  they  also  added  concubines;  Mos.  11. 
2—4. 

This  custom  of  taking  wives  and  concubines  pre- 
vailed among  the  Jaredites,  whose  ancestors  emig- 
rated to  North  America  from  the  tower  of  Babel. 
It  appears  to  have  been  abused  by  a  wicked  king, 
called  Riplakish,  who  reigned  some  1500  years  before 
Christ;  Ether  10.  5.  From  both  the  Bible  and  l^ook 
of  Mormon,  it  appears  that    the   custom   of  takin^;    a 


MARRIAGE.  1 37 

plurality  of  wives  and  concubines  prevailed  at  a 
very  early  period  after  the  flood.  It  was,  however, 
of  antediluvian  origin:  "And  Lamech  took  unto  him- 
self two  wives,  Adah  and  Zillah;'*  Gen.  4.  19.  he 
lived  before  the  flood.  It  is  evident  from  the  '^  Rev- 
elation on  the  Eternity  of  the  Marriage  Covenant," 
that  the  Lord  anciently  gave  concubines  to  good  men, 
as  wives,  and  that  only  the  custom  of  the  country 
discriminated  between  them  and  others:  ''Abraham 
received  concubines,  and  they  bare  him  children,  and 
it  was  accounted  unto  him  for  righteousness,  because 
they  were  given  unto  him;"Z>^^^.  <Sr»  Cov.  132.37. 
"  David's  wives  and  concubines  were  given  unto  him, 
of  me,  by  the  hand  of  Nathan,  my  servant,  and 
others  of  the  prophets  who  had  the  keys  of  this 
power;  and  in  none  of  these  things  did  he  sin 
against  me,  save  in  the  case  of  Uriah  and  his  wife;'* 
verse  39. 

We  cannot  presume  that  the  Lord  ever  gave 
women  to  these  men  under  any  title,  except  for  the 
noble  purpose  of  parentage.  Concubinage  is  unknown 
among  the  Latter-day  Saints.  Wifehood,  in  the  full- 
est sense  of  the  word,  is  conferred  by  the  marriage 
covenant.  All  a  man's  children  are  his  legitimate 
heirs,  both  by  law  and  custom. 


138  FOREORDINATION — ELECTION. 


FOREORDINATION— ELECTION. 


**  Known  unto  God  are  all  his  works  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world;"  Acts  15.  18. 

The  knowledge  that  we  have  of  the  beginning  of 
the  world  is  principally  derived  from  the  history  of 
its  creation  in  the  Bible  Genesis,  and  in  the  writings 
of  Moses  and  of  Abraham,  as  given  in  P,  of  G,  P., 
pages  4—7,  and  32—36. 

Abraham  says,  **  Now  the  Lord  had  shewn  unto 
me,  Abraham^  the  intelligences  that  were  organized 
before  the  world  was;  and  among  all  these  there 
were  many  of  the  noble  and  great  ones ;  and  God  saw 
these  souls  that  they  were  good,  and  he  stood  in  the 
midst  of  them,  and  he  said,  These  I  will  make  my 
rulers;  for  he  stood  among  those  that  were  spirits, 
and  he  saw  that  they  were  good;  and  he  said  unto 
me,  Abraham,  thou  art  one  of  them,  thou  wast  chosen 
before  thou  wast  born;"  P.  of  G.  P.s  page  32. 

These  writings  make  it  plain  that  man  existed  in 
a  spiritual  condition  prior  to  coming  here,  and  also 
quite  as  evident  that  in  that  pre-existence  he  exer- 
cised his  free  agency.  These  facts  throw  much  light 
on  the  following  passages:  "Him,  being  delivered 
by  the  determinate  counsel  and  foreknowledge  of 
God,  ye  have  taken,  and  by  wicked  hands  have  cru- 
cified and  slain;"  Acts  7.,  23.  "For  whom  he  did 
foreknow,  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed 
to  the  image  of  his  Son;"  Rom.  8.  29. 

"  Moreover,  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he 
also  called;"  verse  30.  "God  hath  not  cast  away  his 
people  which  he  foreknew;"  11.  2.  "  For  the  gifts 
and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance;  verse  29. 

The  last  passage  explains  the  previous  ones.  God 
may  have  called  and  chosen  men  in  their  first  estate, 
or  spiritual  existence,  but  whether  they  will  accept 


FOREORDIN  ATION — ^ELECTION  1 39 

that  call  and  fill  it,  by  repentance  and  good  works  in 
this  life,  is  a  matter  in  which  it  is  their  privilege  to 
exercise  their  free  agency. 

This  idea  is  illustrated  in  the  case  of  the  Roman 
centurion,  who  had  faith  that  his  sick  servant  would 
be  healed  if  Jesus  would  only  speak  the  word.  Jesus 
said  to  those  around  him,  "That  many  shall  come 
from  the  east  and  west,  and  shall  sit  down  with  Abra- 
ham, and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  in  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven: But  the  children  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  cast 
out  into  outer  darkness;"  Matt.  8.  11,  12. 

The  "  Children  of  the  kingdom  "  evidently  refers 
to  Israel,  the  called  and  chosen  of  God.  The  pass- 
ages are  numerous  in  which  Israel  is  called  the 
"Chosen  of  God;"  "The  elect  according  to  the 
covenant."  "  Hearken  unto  me,  O  Jacob  and  Israel, 
my  called;"  Isa,  48.  12. 

Jesus,  when  he  predicted  the  destruction  of  Jeru- 
salem, and  the  scattering  of  the  Jews,  declared  that 
for  the  elect's  sake  those  days  should  be  shortened; 
M(*tt,  24.  22. 

The  elect  could  only  mean  according  to  the  cove- 
nant with  Abraham  for  the  remnant  who  were  saved 
in  the  flesh  were  of  a  wicked  generation,  and  they 
and  their  children  became  a  hiss  and  a  by-word 
among  all  nations,  consequently  they  could  not  have 
been  the  elect  through  faith  and  good  works. 

David  said  to  the  congregation,  *'  Solomon,  my 
son,  whom  alone  God  hath  chosen;"  i  Chron,  29.  i'. 
Yet  Solomon  did  not  fully  prove  himself  by  good 
works,  for  he  fell  into  transgression  and  corrupted 
Israel ;   i  Kings  1 1 .  9 — 1 1 . 

The  Book'  of  Mormon  is  plain  on  this  subject: 
"  Being  called  and  prepared  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world,  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God,  on 
account  of  their  exceeding  faith  and  good  works;  in 
the  first  place  being  left  to  choose  good  or  evil;" 
Alma  13.  3 — 7. 

Their  calling  and  preparation  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world  were  evidently  based  on  their  faith  and 
good  works,  previous  to  their  being  called,  and  not 
on  the  possibilities  of  their  future  good  conduct. 


I40  FORBORDINATION — ELECTION. 

This  idea  is  verified  by  the  apostle  who,  speaking 
of  Christ,  says,,  "And  again,  when  he  bringeth  in  the 
first-begotten  into  the  world,  he  saith,  And  let  all 
the  angels  of  God  worship  him.  *  *  * 
Thou  hast  loved  righteousness,  and  hated  iniquity; 
therefore  God,  even  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee  with 
the  oil  of  gladness  above  thy  fellows;"  Heb.  i.  6,  9. 
*'  Who  verily  was  foreordained  before  the  foundation 
of  the  world,  but  was  manifest  in  these  last  times  for 
you;"  I  Pet,  i.  20.  Christ  was  chosen  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  because  he  had  already 
proven  himself  worthy. 

Men  exercised  their  free  agency  in  the  first  or 
spiritual  estate,  as  well  as  in  this.  That  the  character 
of  their  works  in  that  estate  shaped  their  destiny  in 
this  is  evident.  The  Lord  said  to  Abraham,  "  They 
who  keep  their  first  estate,  shall  be  added  upon ;  anc. 
they  who  keep  not  their  first  estate,  shall  not  have 
glory  in  the  same  kingdom  with  those  who  keep  their 
first  estate;"  F.  of  G.  F ,^ page  32. 

There  are  some  foreordained  to  condemnation: 
"  There  are  certain  men  crept  in  unawares,  who 
were  before  of  old  ordained  to  this  condemnation;" 
Jude  4. 

*'  The  angels  which  kept  not  their  first  estate,  but 
left  their  own  habitation,  he  hath  reserved  in  ever- 
lasting chains  under  darkness  unto  the  judgment  of 
the  great  day;"  Jtide  6.  That  is,  those  angels  who, 
voluntarily,  by  their  own  acts,  forfeited  the  glory  pre- 
pared for  them. 

The  Lord  revealed  to  Joseph,  the  Seer,  that  the 
only  ones  who  should  not  be  redeemed  in  the  due  time 
of  the  Lord  are  those  who  ^'Having  denied  the 
Holy  Spirit  after  having  received  it,  and  having 
denied  the  Only  Begotten  Son  of  the  Father — having 
crucified  him  unto  themselves,  and  put  him  to  an 
open  shame."  Doc,  <Sr*  Gov,  y6.  31 — ^43.  We  learn 
from  the  Book  of  Mormon  also  "The  way  is  pre- 
pared for  all  men  from  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
if  so  be  that  they  repent  and  come  unto  him." 
I  Nephi  10.  18. 


FOREORDINATION — ELECTION.  I4I 

E^co.  23.  19  I  will  shew  mercy  on  whom  I  will. 

JS^um.  16.  7  the  man  whom  the  Lord  shall  choose  shall  be  holy. 

Deut.  7.  6  the  Lord  hath  chosen  thee  to  be  a  special  people. 
14.  2. 

18.  5  the  Lord  hath  chosen  him  out  of  all  thy  tribes.  21.  5. 

2  Sam.  6.  21  it  was  before  the  Lord  which  chose  me  before  thy 
father. 

16.  18  whom  the  Lord  and  the  men  of  Israel  chose. 

Neh.  9.  7  thou  art  the  Lord  who  did'st  choose  Abram. 

Psalm  33.  12  the  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  own  in- 
heritance. 

89.  3  have  made  a  covenant  with  my  chosen ;  sworn  to  David 
»ny  servant. 

105.  6  ye  seed  of  Abraham  his  servant,  ye  children  of  Jacob 
lis  chosen.  26. 

Isa.  14.  1  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  Jacob,  and  will  yet  choose 
Israel. 

41.  8  Jacob  whom  I  have  chosen ;  the  seed  of  Abraham  my 
friend.  9. 

42.  1  my  servant  whom  I  uphold,  mine  elect  in  whom  my  soul 
delighteth. 

MoM.  12.  18  behold  my  servant  whom  I  have  chosen. 

20.  16  and  the  first  last,  for  many  be  called  but  few  chosen. 
22.  14. 

Luke  18.  7  shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect? 

John  15.  16  ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you.  19. 

Acts  1.  24  sliew  whether  of  these  two  thou  hast  chosen. 

9.  15  for  he  is  a  chosen  vessel  unto  me  to  bear  my  name. 

22.  14  the  God  of  our  fathers  hath  chosen  thee. 

Rom.  9.  11—22  Jacob  have  I  loved,  and  Esau  have  I  hated.  23, 
24,  26. 

n.  7  but  the  election  hath  obtained  it. 

28  but  as  touching:  the  election  they  are  beloved. 

1  Cor.  1.  21,  27  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world. 
Eph.  1.  4 — 11. 18  predestination  and  adoption  set  forth. 

CoL  3.  12  put  on  therefore  as  the  elect  of  God. 

2  Thess.  2.  13, 14  because  God,  from  the  beginning,  hath  chosen 
you  to  salvation. 

Titus  1.  1  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ  according  to  the  faith  of 
God's  elect. 

James  2.  5  hath  not  God  chosen  the  poor  of  this  world? 
1  Peter  1.  2  elect  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God. 
Rev.  17.  14  those  that  are  with  him  are  called  and  chosen. 


Book  of  ;fHormon. 

1  Nephi  1.  20  over  all  whom  he  has  chosen  because  of  their 
iheir  faith. 

3.  29  know  ye  not  that  the  Lord  hath  chosen  him? 

17.  40  he  loved  our  Ijithers  and  covenanted  with  them. 

2  iVep/a  9.  18  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  prepared  for 
them. 


142  FOREORDINATION — ELECTION. 

ALttw,  13.  10, 11  were  called  after  his  holy  order  on  account  of 
the     (aith. 

Moroni  7.  31  by  declaring  the  word  of  God  unto  chosen  ves- 
sels.. 48. 

8.  12  little  children  are  alive  in  Christ  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world. 

22  they  that  are  without  law  are  alive  in  Christ. 

^uixixit  anir  Cobtnantjef. 

Sec.  10.  59—62  other  sheep  I  have  which  are  not  of  this  fold. 

25.  3  Emma  Smith  an  elect  lady. 

29.  4  ye  are  chosen  out  of  the  world.  7. 

46  little  children  are  redeemed  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world.  74.  7. 

?>3.  6  so  will  I  gather  mine  elect  from  the  four  quarters  of  the 
earth. 

52.  1  the  elders  whom  the  Lord  hath  chosen.  21. 

53.  1  concerning  your  calling  and  election. 

84.  Zi  become  the  seed  of  Abraham  and  the  elect  of  God.  99. 
86.  9—11  for  ye  are  lawful  heirs  according  to  the  flesh. 
88.  4  this  comforter  is  the  promise  of  eternal  life. 
93.  38  every  spirit  of  man  was  innocent  in  the  beginning. 
95.  5.  6  those  not  chosen  have  sinned.  8. 
101.  3  they  shall  be  mine  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my 
jewels. 

^jearl  of  (Kwat  ^xitt. 

Page  26.  Abraham  became  a  rightful  heir. 

27.  the  Lord  took  Abraham  and  put  upon  him  his  name. 

39.  if  possible  they  shall  deceive  the  very  elect  according  to  the 
covenant. 

40.  shall  gather  the  remainder  of  mine  elect.  When  mine  elect 
shall  see  these  things. 


See  Article  by  B,  Young  and  W.  Richards,  Mil.  Star,  Vol, 
j8,  page  I4S, 

History  of  J,  Smith,  Jan,,  /,  /c?-//. 

Sermon  by  li.    Young,  y.  of  D.,   Vol.  lo,  page  /. 

Article  by  J.  Nicholson,  Mil,  Star,   Vol.  27,  Page  jjg. 


FULNESS   OF   TIMES.  1 43 


DISPENSATION    OF  THE   FULNESS 
OF   TIMES. 


A  dispensation  "is  power  and  authority  to  dispense 
the  word  of  God,  and  to  administer  in  all  the  ordi- 
nances thereof."  What  the  dispensation  of  the  ful- 
ness of  times  is,  is  well  expressed  by  the  apostle 
Paul  in  Eph.  i.  9,  "Having  made  known  unto  us  the 
mystery  of  his  will,  according-  to  his  good  pleasure 
which  he  hath  purposed  in  himself:  that  in  the  dis- 
pensation of  the  fulness  of  limes  he  might  gather 
together  in  one  all  things  in  Christ,  both  which  are  in 
heaven,  and  which  are  on  earth,  even  in  him." 

It  is  still  more  comprehensively  expressed  by  the 
prophet  Joseph.  "Now  the  thing  to  be  known  is, 
what  the  fulness  of  times  means,  or  the  extent  and 
authority  thereof.  It  means  this,  that  the  dispensa- 
tion of  the  fulness  of  times  is  made  up  of  all  the  dis- 
pensations that  ever  have  been  given  since  the  world 
began,  until  this  time.  Unto  Adam  first  was  given  a 
dispensation.  It  is  well  known  that  God  spake  to 
him  with  his  own  voice  in  the  garden,  and  gave  him 
the  promise  of  the  Messiah." 

"And  unto  Noah  also  was  a  dispensation  given  ; 
for  Jesus  said,  'As  it  was  in  the  days  of  Noe,  so 
shall  it  be  also  in  the  days  of  the  corning  of  the  Son  of 
Man;'  and  as  the  righteous  were  saved  then,  and  the 
wicked  destroyed,  so  will  it  be  now.  And  from  Noah 
to  Abraham,  and  from  Abraham  to  Moses,  and  from 
Moses  to  Elias,  and  from  Elias  to  John  the  Baptist, 
and  from  then  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  from  Jesus  Christ 
to  Peter,  James,  and  John,  the  Apostles  all  having 
received  in  their  dispensation  by  revelation  from  God, 
to  accomplish  the  great  scheme  of  restitution,  spoken 
by  all  the  holy  Prophets  since  the  world  began;  the 
end  of  which  is,  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of 


144  FULNESS   OF   TIMES. 

times,  in  which  all  things  shall  be  fulfilled  that  have 
been  spoken  of  since  the  earth  was  made."  Mil.  Stary 
voL  i6,  page  220,  The  apostle  Paul  further  says  on 
this  subject,  **For  I  would  not,  brethren,  that  ve 
should  be  ignorant  of  this  mystery,  lest  ye  should  be 
wise  in  your  own  conceits,  that  blindness  in  part  is 
happened  to  Israel,  until  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles 
be  come  in.  And  so  all  Israel  shall  be  saved:  as  it 
is  written.  There  shall  come  out  of  Zion  the 
Deliverer,  and  shall  turn  away  ungodliness  from 
Jacob;"  Rom.  11.  25,  26. 

These  passages  make  it  evident,  in  connection 
with  other  passages,  that  the  dispensation  of  the  ful- 
ness of  times  will  commence  when  the  fulness  of  the 
Gentiles  shall  come  in,  for  then  will  a  Deliverer  come 
out  of  Zion  who  shall  turn  away  ungodliness  from 
Jacob. 

This  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times  is  a 
period  in  which  all  things  will  be  restored  to  their 
proper  order  or  condition. 

The  apostle  Peter  had  a  very  comprehensive  view 
of  this  subject  when  he  severely  reproved  the  Jews 
for  killing  the  ^'Prince  of  Life,"  and  said  to  them, 
"  Repent  ye  therefore,  and  be  converted,  that  your 
siDs  may  be  blotted  out,  when  the  times  of  refreshing 
shall  come  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

This  was  evidently  to  take  place  when  Israel 
should  be  gathered  and  the  Gospel  restored,  in  its 
fulness:  "And  he  shall  send  Jesus  Christ,  which  be- 
fore was  preached  unto  you:  whom  the  heavens  must 
receive  until  the  times  of  restitution  of  all  things, 
which  God  hath  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  all  his  holy 
prophets  since  the  world  began;"  Acts  3.  19,  21. 
Peter  gave  them  to  understand  that  not  until  then 
could  those  who  killed  the  '' Prince  of  Life"  expect 
to  be  restored  to  the  privileges  of  the  Gospel  which 
was  preached  to  them  while  in  the  flesh. 

In  this  time  of  restitution  everything  in  heaven 
and  in  earth  will  find  its  appropriate  place  and  condi- 
tion, and  good  and  evil  will  find  their  fulness  of  re- 
ward. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  is  very  plain  oh  this  sub- 


FULNESS  OF   TIMES.  I45 

feci:  "The  meaning  of  the  word  restoration,  is  to 
brinoj  back  again  evil  for  evil,  or  carnal  for  carnal,  or 
devilish  for  devilish ;  good  for  that  which  is  good ; 
righteous  for  that  which  is  righteous;  just  for  that 
which  is  just;  merciful  for  that  which  is  merciful.  * 
*  *  Deal  justly,  judge  righteously,  and  if  ye  do 
all  these  things,  then  shall  ye  receive  your  reward; 
yea,  ye  shall  have  mercy  restored  unto  you  again;  ye 
shall  have  justice  restored  to  you  again;  ye  shall 
have  a  righteous  judgment  restored  unto  you  again; 
and  ye  shall  have  good  rewarded  unto  you  again ;  for 
that  which  ye  do  send  out  shall  return  unto  you  again, 
and  be  restored;  therefore,  the  word  restoration  more 
fully  condemneth  the  sinner,  and  justifieth  him  not  at 
all;^'  Alma  41,  13—15. 

This  principle  of  restitution  has  also  been  further 
revealed  in  this  dispensation:  "  Unto  the  day  when 
the  Lord  shall  come  to  recompense  unto  every  man 
according  to  his  works,  and  measure  to  every  man 
according  to  the  measure  which  he  has  measured  to 
his  fellow  man;"  I?oc.  <2r*  Cov.  i.  10.  The  following 
passage  warns  us  that  the  time  is  near  when  the  evil 
and  the  good  will  each  find  their  own  place:  "  The 
hour  is  not  yet,  but  is  nigh  at  hand,  when  peace  shall 
be  taken  from  the  earth,  and  the  devil  shall  have 
power  over  his  own  dominion;  and  also  the  Lord 
shall  have  power  over  his  Saints,  and  shall  reign  in 
their  midst;"  35,  36. 

All  the  intelligences,  of  whatever  order,  pertain- 
ing to  this  earth,  will  be  redeemed  from  death  through 
the  resurrection,  except  the  sons  of  perdition.  The 
great  burden  of  the  ancient  prophets  was  the  restora- 
tion, in  the  latter  times,  of  the  house  of  Israel  to  the 
lands  of  their  inheritance,  and  to  the  favor  of  God. 
On  the  other  hand,  those  who  have  oppressed  and 
persecuted  them  must  suffer  the  full  reward  of  their 
evil  works. 

This  world,  in  its  present  condition,  is  one  of  an- 
tagonisms. When  all  things  are  restored  to  their 
proper  place,  these  antagonisms  will  cease,  and  the 
good  and  the  evil  will  be  placed  in  positions  where 
they  will  harmonize  with  their  surroundings. 


14^  FULNESS  OF  TIMES. 

The  term,  "  Dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times," 
refers  to  the  latter  days,  when  the  fulness  of  the  Gos- 
pel will  be  revealed,  and  the  holy  Priesthood  be  re- 
stored to  the  earth.  Under  its  direction  the 
work  of  restoration  will  commence  and  be  fully  con- 
summated, through  the  great  plan  of  redemption  for 
man  and  the  earth,  which  was  decided  in  the  councils 
of  heaven  before  the  foundations  ot  the  earth  were 
laid. 


mm. 

Isa.  11.  6,  7  animals  shall  dwell  together  in  peace. 

9  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  God. 

13.  13, 14  the  earth  will  be  moved  out  of  its  place. 

32.  15  until  the  Spirit  h%  poured  out  upon  us  from  on  high  • 

16  then  judgment  shall  dwell  in  the  wilderness. 

17, 18  and  the  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace. 

35.  1  the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad. 

7  and  the  parched  ground  shall  become  a  pool. 

9  no  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beast. 

51.  6  the  earth  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment. 

60.  20  the  Lord  shall  be  their  everlasting  light.  21. 

62.  4  thy  land  shall  be  married. 

65.  17—25  a  description  of  the  millennial  condition  of  the 
earth. 

Mic.  4,  4  they  shall  sit,  every  man  under  his  own  fig  tree. 

Hob.  2.  14  the  earth  will  be  filled  with  a  knowledge  ©f  the 
glory  of  the  Lord. 

Zech.  14.  4  and  the  Mount  of  Olives  shall  cleave  in  the  midst 
thereof. 

Matt.  17.  11  Elias  truly  shall  first  come  and  restore  all  things. 

Mom.  11.  25  until  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in. 

2  Peter  3.  11, 12  all  these  things  shall  be  dissolved. 

Eev.  6.  13, 14  the  stars  of  heaven  will  fall,  and  the  heavens  be 
rolled  together. 

21.  1  and  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth. 

2  Nephi  30.  17, 18,  works  of  darkness  to  be  made  manifest;  that 
which  IS  sealed  to  be  loosed ;  all  things  which  have  been  revealed 
to  be  again  revealed. 

Hel.  14.  31  good  restored  to  good  and  evil  to  evil. 


^atixint  aitlr  Cobtitaittjsf. 

See.  1,  22  that  mine  everlasting  covenant  might  be  established 
S8  all  the  word  of  die  Lord  to  be  fulfiUed. 


FULNESS  OF  TIMES.  I47 

Bee.  2.  Elijah,  the  prophet,  to  reveal  the  Priesthood. 

8.  18—20  the  records  of  the  childreu  of  Lehi  to  be  restored  to 
diem. 

Sec.  13.  John  the  Baptist  restored  the  Aaronic  Priesthood. 

14.  10  the  fulness  of  the  Gospel  to  be  brought  forth  from  the 
Gentiles  to  the  house  of  Israel. 

22.  1  everlasting  covenant,  even  that  which  was  from  the  be- 
ginning, restored. 

3  caused  this  church  to  be  built  up  as  in  days  of  old. 

27.  5  the  fulness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel— the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon. 

12  Peter,  James  and  John  ordained  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  to  hold  the 
keys  of  the  dispensation  of  the  Gospel,  for  the  last  time. 

38.  7  the  Lord  gave  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  the  keys  of  the  mysteries  of 
the  things  which  have  been  sealed. 

86.  10  until  the  restoration  of  all  things  spoken  by  all  the  holy 
prophets. 

90.  2  which  kingdom  is  coming  forth  for  the  last  time. 

Sec.  110.  Moses.  Elias  and  Elijah  appeared  in  the  Kirtland  tem- 
ple, and  bestowed  keys  of  former  dispensations. 

112.  30  power  of  the  Priesthood  given,  for  the  dispensation  of 
the  fulness  of  times. 

121.  26—32  things  to  be  revealed  by  the  Holy  Ghost  that  have 
not  been  revealed— all  things  to  be  revealed. 

128.  8  in  the  last  dispensation,  all  dispensations  will  be  weld- 
ed together. 

20  declaring  themselves  as  possessing  the  keys  of  the  dispensa- 
tion of  the  fulness  of  times. 


Sde  Sermon  by  P.  P,  Pratt,  y.  of  D.  Vol.  j,  pa^e  127. 
'*  "  E.  Snow,  "  •*     16,   '*     200. 

History  of  y.  Smith,  May  2,  1842, 

Epistle  by  D,   W,  Patten,  History  of  y.  Smith,  yuly,  i8j8. 
Latter-day  Kingdom,  a  pamphlet  by  O.  Pratt, 
Article,  Mil.  Star,   Vol.  21,  pages  ly,  j§. 
O.  Spencer'^  s  Letters  to  Rev.   IVm.  Crowe  I,  Nos.  12,  ij. 
Voice  of  Warning,  by  P.  P.  Pratt,  Chap.  §. 
Pearl  of  Great  Price ^  pages  21  y  22, 


148  SPIRIT  OF   GOD, 


THE   SPIRIT   OF    GOD,  OR    HOLY    GHOST. 


Whenever  the  Priesthood  has  been  on  the  earth, 
through  it,  and  in  various  ways,  the  Lord  has  revealed 
his  will  to  man.  By  his  voice:  "They  heard  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  God  walking  in  the  garden;"  Gen. 
3.  8.  The  Lord  talked  with  Abraham;  chap,  18. 
And  with  Moses;  Exo.  3.  He  called  to  young 
Samuel;  i  Sam.  3. 

Passages  are  numerous  in  the  inspired  writings 
in  which  it  says  "'The  Lord  hath  spoken ;"  "The  Lord 
spake;"  "Thus  saith  the  Lord;"  etc.  He  has  often 
revealed  his  will  through  the  ministrations  of  angels, 
by  visions  and  dreams,  by  signs  and  tokens;  but  the 
more  general  way  has  been  through  the  agency  of 
his  Spirit,  or  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  has  informed  us  that 
"The  Holy  Ghost  has  not  a  body  of  flesh  and  bones, 
but  is  a  personage  of  Spirit."  Doc.  &^  CoVn  130, 
22,  23. 

Its  office  is  to  enlighten  the  understanding  and 
give  knowledge  and  wisdom;  Exo.  31.  i — 11.  i 
Chron.  28. 12.  "  But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy 
Ghost,  whom  the  P^ather  will  send  in  my  name,  he 
shall  teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to 
your  remembrance,  whatsoever  I  have  said  unto 
you;"  John  14.  26. 

It  is  the  Spirit  of  prophecy,  and  reveals  future 
events,  "  For  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by 
the  will  of  man:  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they 
were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost;"  2  Pet.  i.  21. 

Tt  is  a  witness  and  testifies  to  man,  of  God  and  his 
attributes.  "  Even  so  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no 
man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God:"  i  Cor.  2.  11.  «' We 
are  h?s  witnesses  of  these  things;  and  so  is  also  the 
lAc^  Ghotta"  Aas^,  y^   Cka^.  20.  »^     "No  man 


SPIRIT    OF    GOD,  149 

can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by  the  Holy 
Ghost;"  I  Cor.  12.  3.  It  gives  the  knowledge  that 
is  essential  to  salvation.  ''When  he,  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  is  come,  he  will  guide  you  into  all  truth.' 
Johfi  16.  13. 

Nephite  prophets  declared,  that,  after  Christ 
should  be  slain,  "  He  should  rise  from  the  dead,  and 
should  make  himself  manifest,  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
unto  the  Gentiles;"  I  Nephi  10.  11.  3  Aeplii  15.  23, 
**  The  mysteries  of  God  shall  be  unfolded  unto  them, 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  well  in  these 
times  as  in  times  of  old,  and  as  well  in  times  of  old 
as  in  times  to  come;"  i  Nephi  10.  19. 

The  Holy  Ghost  bears  "record  of  the  Father  and 
of  the  Son;  j^  Nephi  11.  32.     The  Holy  Ghost  and    . 
Spirit   of    God   are  synonymous.     The  gifts  of  the  (^ 
Spirit  mentioned  in  i   Cor.  chap.  12,  are^  often  men- 
tioned in  the  inspired  writings  as  gifts  ot  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

The  Comforter,  and  the  Spirit  of  Truth  are  also  syn- 
onymous with  the  Holy  Ghost.  "But  the  Comforter 
which  is  the  Holy  Ghost;"  John  14.  26.  "But  when 
the  Comforter  is  come,  whom  I  will  send  unto  you 
from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  Trutii;" 
John  15.  26. 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  moving  power  in  the  sal- 
vation of  the  human  family,  for  faith  is  one  of  its 
gifts;  I  Cor,  12.  9.  And  all  intelligences  work  by 
laith.     Doc.  (2r*  Cov.^  Le£.  on  Faith\  i.  11. 

The  Spirit  of  God  is  not  only  the  medium  by 
which  knowledge  is  communicated  to  man,  but  it  is 
the  power  by  which  all  organizations  are  developed, 
and  by  which  they  exist  and  move.  It  is  the  agent 
of  God's  power  by  which,  through  faith,  the  elements 
are  controlled.  "And  the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon 
the  face  of  the  waters;"  Gen.  i.  2.  "By  his  Spirit 
he  hath  garnished  the  heavens;''  Job  26.  13.  "The 
Spirit  of  God  hath  made  me,  and  the  breath  of  the 
Almighty  hath  given  me  life  ;"  '}^'}i*  4»  *'  ^f  he  gathei 
unto  himself  his  Spirit  and  his  breath;  all  flesh  shall 
perish  together,  and  man  shall  turn  again  unto  dust;" 
34.  14,  15.     "Thou  sendest  forth  thy  Spirit,  they  aje 


150  SPIRIT   OF   GOD. 

created;"  Psalm  104.  30.  "  For  by  the  power  of  my 
Spirit  created  I  them ;  yea,  all  things  both  spiritual 
and  temporal;"  Doc.  &^  Cov.,  29.  31.  "  The  power  of 
my  Spirit  quickeneth  all  things;"  33.  16. 

By  it  the  Lord  works  his  will  among  the  nations: 
"  I  have  called  upon  the  weak  things  of  the  world, 
those  who  are  unlearned  and  despised,  to  thresh  the 
nations  by  the  power  of  my  Spirit;"  35.  13.  **The 
elements  are  the  tabernacle  of  God;"  93.  35. 
Through  the  power  of  the  Spirit  which  pervades 
them,  they  are  organized  and  disorganized  in  accord- 
ance with  the  laws  by  which  they  are  governed. 
Spirit  and  element  must  be  inseparably  connected, 
through  the  resurrection,  in  order  to  attain  the  great- 
est perfection ;  verses  33,  34. 

Man,  ignorant  of  God  and  his  attributes,  in- 
creases in  knowledge  by  experience  and  observation, 
explores  the  fields  of  nature,  watches  and  experi- 
ments with  the  elements,  acquires,  to  him,  new  and 
grand  truths,  makes  discoveries  in  science  which 
measurably  revolutionize  the  conditions  of  human 
life,  and  thinks,  in  his  ignorance  of  the  spiritual  ele- 
ments, that  he  accomplishes  these  important  results 
by  his  own  unaided  wisdom,  when  they  are  the 
effects  of  the  workings  of  that  universal  spirit  of  in- 
telligence which  emanates  from  the  Father  of  light, 
without  which  man  would  be  like  the  blind,  who 
wander  about  at  noonday,  unconscious  of  the  light  that 
shines  around  them. 

Man  observes  a  universal  energy  in  nature. 
Organization  and  disorganization  succeed  each 
other.     The  thunders  roll  through  the  heavens;  the 

)  earth  trembles  and  becomes  broken  by  earthquakes; 

•  fires  consume  cities  and  forests;  the  waters  accumu- 
late, flow  over  their  usual  bounds  and  cause  destruc- 
tion of  life  and  property;  the  worlds  perform  their 
revolutions  in  space  with  a  velocity  and  power  in- 
comprehensible to  man,  and  he,  covered  with  a  veil 
of  darkness,  calls  this  universal  energy,  God,  when  it 
is  the  workings  of  his  Spirit,  the  obedient  agent  of 
his  power,  the  wonder-working  and  life-giving  princi- 
ple in  all  nature. 


SPIRIT   OF   GOD.  151 

Gen.  6.  3  my  Spirit  shall  not  always  strive  with  man. 
Num.  11.  17  I  will  take  of  the  Spirit  that  is  on  thee,  and  put  it 
on  them, 

26  The  Spirit  rested  on  Eldad  and  Medad,  and  they  prophesied. 
24.  2  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  rested  on  Balaam. 

1  Sam,  10.  10  the  Spirit  of  God  came  on  Saul  and  he  prophe- 
sied. 

2  Kings  2.  9  let  a  double  portion  of  thy  spirit  be  on  me. 
15  the  spirit  of  Elijah  rested  on  Elisha.  16. 

Neh.  9.  20  thou  gavest  also  thy  good  Spirit  to  instruct  them. 

30  God  for  many  years  testified  against  Israel  by  his  Spirit. 

Joh  32.  8  there  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspiration  of  the 
Almighty  giveth  them  understanding. 

Fi'ov.  1.  23  behold  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  on  you. 

Isa.  29.  10  the  Lord  hath  poured  upon  you  the  Spirit  of  deep 
sleep. 

42.  1  I  have  put  my  Spirit  on  him,  he  shall  bring  forth  judg- 
ment. 

44.  3  will  pour  my  Spirit  on  thy  seed,  my  blessing  on  thine  oflf- 
spring. 

48.  16  the  Lord  God  and  his  Spirit  hath  sent  me. 

61.  1  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  on  me.    Luke  4.  18. 

Ezek.  11.  24  brought  me  in  a  vision,  by  the  Spirit  of  <^od,  into 
Chaldea. 

Dan.  4.  8  in  whom  is  the  Spirit  of  the  holy  Gods. 

Joel  2.  29  upon  the  servants  and  handmaids,  in  those  cays,  will 
I  pour  out  my  Spirit.  Acts  2.  17,  18. 

Matt.  3.  16  he  saw  the  Spirit  of  God  descending  on  him  like  a 
dove. 

4. 1  Jesus  led  up  of  the  Spirit  into  the  wilderness.    Lake  4.  1. 

12,  28  if  I  cast  out  devils  by  the  Spirit  of  God? 

Luke  1.  17  he  shall  go  before  him  in  the  spirit  and  power  of 
Elias. 

2.  25—27  Simeon  came  by  the  Spirit  into  the  temple. 

4.  14  Jesus  returned  in  power  of  the  Spirit  into  Galilee. 

11.  13  your  Heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that 
ask  him. 

John  3.  34  God  giveth  not  the  Spirit  by  measure  unto  him. 

6.  63  it  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth. 

16.  13  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  come,  he  will  guide  you  into  all 
truth. 

Acts  2.  4  began  to  speak  with  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit  gave 
them  utterance. 

8.  29  the  Spirit  said  to  Philip,  go  near  and  join  thyself  to  this 
chariot. 

39  the  Spirit  caught  away  Philip,  that  the  eunuch  saw  him  no 
more. 

10.  19  the  Spirit  said  to  Peter,  three  men  seek  thee. 

Rom.  8.  10  but  the  Spirit  is  life,  because  of  righteousness. 

11  if  the  Spirit  which  raised  up  Jesus  shall  also  quicken  your 
mortal  bodies. 

26  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us. 

1  Cor.  2.  4  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  power. 


152  SPIRIT   OF   GOIJ. 

10  the  Spirit  of  God  searcheth  all  things. 

15.  45  the  first  Adam  was  a  living  soul,  the  last  Adam,  a  quick* 
ening  spirit. 

2  Co)\  3.  6  the  letter  killeth,  but  the  Spirit  giveth  life. 

17  where  the  Spirit  of  God  is  there  is  liberty. 

18  changed  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord. 

Oal.  5.  16  walk  in  the  Spirit ;  ye  shall  not  fulfil  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh. 

EyK  2.  2  the  Spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children  of  diso- 
bedience. 

6.  17  take  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God.  18. 

1  Thess.  5.  19,  20  quench  not  the  Spirit,  despise  not  prophesy- 
Ings. 

2  Thess,  2.  8  the  Lord  shall  consume  with  the  Spirit  of  his 
mouth. 

1  Tim.  3.  16  God  ijianifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in  the  Spirit. 
Rev.  1.  10  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day. 

2.  7  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches.  11. 17,  29. 

11.  11  after  three  days,  the  Spirit  of  life,  from  God,  entered  into 
Uiem. 

14.  13  blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord ;  yea,  saith  the 
Spirit. 

17.  3  so  he  carried  me  away  in  the  Spirit,  into  the  wilderness. 

19.  10  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  Spirit  of  prophecy. 

Book  o£  ptormoTi. 

1  Nephi  1.  12  as  he  read  he  was  filled  with  the  Spirit. 

4.  6  was  led  by  the  Spirit,  not  knowing  the  things  I  should  do. 

18  I  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  Spirit,  and  smote  off  the  head  of 
Labaii. 

11.  1  caught  away  in  the  Spirit,  into  an  exceeding  high  moun- 
tain. 

6  when  I  had  spoken  these  words,  the  Spirit  cried  with  a  loud 
voice. 

8  the  Spirit  said  to  me,  look ;  I  looked  and  beheld  a  tree. 

11  1  knew  it  was  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  he  spake  unto  me 
as  a  man  speaketh  with  another. 

19  1  beheld  tlxat  she  was  carried  away  in  the  Spirit. 

13.  12  the  Spirit  of  God  wrought  on  the  man,  and  he  went  forth 
on  the  waters. 

15  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  on  the  Gentiles,  that  they  pros- 
pered. 

14.  80  an  end  of  speaking  what  I  saw,  when  carried  away  in 
the  Spirit. 

17.  52  lest  they  wither  before  me,  so  powerful  was  the  Spirit. 
19.  12  kings  of  the  isles  shall  be  wrought  upon  by  the  Spirit. 

20  I  have  workings  in  the  Spirit,  for  those  at  Jerusalem. 

2  Nephi  2.  4  for  the  Spirit  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  for- 
ever. 

8  who  layeth  down  his  life  and  taketh  it,  by  the  power  of  the 
Spirit. 

3.  5  Messiah  to  be  manifest  in  the  latter  days,  m  the  Spirit  of 
power. 


SPIRIT   OF   GOD.  153 

4.  25  on  the  wiiigs  of  his  Spirit  hath  my  body  been  carried 
away. 

26.  11  the  Spirit  of  God  will  not  always  strive  with  man. 

32.  7  I  cannot  say  more,  the  Spirit  stoppeth  mine  utterance. 

Jacob  4.  13  for  the  Spirit  speaketh  the  truth,  and  lieth  not. 

jEnos  1.  10  while  struggling  in  the  Spirit,  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
came. 

Mos.  2.  36  that  ye  do  withdraw  yourselves  from  the  Spirit  oi 
the  Lord. 

3.  19  but  if  he  yields  to  the  enticings  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

i).  3  through  his  Spirit  have  great  views  of  that  which  is  to 
come. 

13.  5  durst  not*  lay  their  hands  on  him,  for  the  Spirit  was  on 
him. 

18.  26  might  wax  strong  in  Spirit,  having  the  knowledge  of  God. 

AlmaS.  26  reap  happiness  or  misery  according  to  the  spirit 
they  listed  to  obey. 

5.  M  sanctified  by  the  Spirit,  bring  forth  works  meet  for  repent- 
ance. 

7.  13  the  Spirit  knoweth  all  things. 

16  have  eternal  life  according  to  the  testimony  of  the  Spirit. 

8.  24  been  called  according  to  the  Spirit  of  revelation  and  pro- 
phecy. 

12.  3  thou  seest  that  thy  thoughts  are  made  known  by  the 
Spirit. 

13.  4  would  reject  the  Spirit,  on  account  of  the  hardness  of  their 
hearts. 

16.  16  the  Lord  poured  his  Spirit  on  the  face  of  the  land. 

17.  3  given  themselves  to  fasting  and  prayer,  therefore  they  had 
the  Spirit. 

18.  16  being  filled  with  the  Spirit,  perceived  the  thoughts  of 
the  king. 

19.  13  the  queen  sank  down,  being  overpowered  by  the  Spirit. 
22.  1  he  was  led  by  the  Spirit  to  the  land  of  Nephi. 

^     23.  6  according  to  the  Spirit  of  revelation  and  prophecy. 

30.  46  resist  the  Spirit  of  truth,  that  thy  soul  may  be  destroyed. 

3i.  35  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  has  withdrawn,  and  the  devil  has 
power  over  you. 

40.  13  the  wicked  have  no  part  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

61.  15  give  them  power  to  conduct  the  war,  according  to  the 
Spirit  of  God. 

Hd.  5,  45  the  Spirit  entered  their  hearts,  and  they  were  filled  as 
with  fire. 

6.  35  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  began  to  withdraw  from  the  Ne- 
phites. 

10.  16  Nephi  taken  by  the  Spirit  and  conveyed  away. 

13.  8  except  they  repent  I  will  withdraw  my  Spirit  from 
them. 

3  Nephi  3.  19  to  appoint  captains  of  those  who  had  the  Spirit 
of  prophecy. 

7.  21  signified  they  had  been  visited  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

18.  7  if  ye  do  always  remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my  Spirit.  11. 

20.  9  when  the  multitude  had  eaten  and  drank,  they  were 
filled  with  the  Spirit. 

Mormon  2.  26  the  Spirit  of  God  did  not  abide  in  us,  and  we 
were  weak. 


154  SPIRIT  OF   GOD. 

3.  16  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  winch  had  testified  of  things 
to  come. 

Ether  2.  15  remember  tliat  my  Spirit  will  not  always  strive  with 
man. 

Moroni  6.  9  conduct  meetings  after  the  manner  of  the  workings 
of  the  Spirit. 

Hoitriuje  aitii  (IPoitnatttjEi. 

Lecture  on  Faith  2.  24,  25  when  the  plan  of  redemption  was  re- 
vealed men  began  to  call  on  God,  and  the  Holy  ;Spiric  was  given, 
bearing  record  of  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

5.  2  possessing  the  same  mind  with  the  Father,  which  mind  is 
the  Holy  Spirit,  that  bears  record  of  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

3  partaking  of  the  falness  ot  the  Father  and  Son,  through  the 
Spirit. 

Sec.  1.  33  my  Spirit  shall  not  always  strive  with  man. 

8.  3  this  is  the  Spirit  of  revelation,  by  which  Moses  brought 
Israel  through  the  sea. 

18.  47  I  am  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  power  of  my  Spirit  I  have 
spoken  it. 

19.  23  walk  in  the  meekness  of  my  Spirit. 

27.  18  the  sword  of  my  Spirit,  which  1  will  pour  out  upon  you. 

29.  30  tirst  shall  be  last,  last  first,  in  all  things  created  by  the 
power  of  my  Spirit. 

31  by  the  power  of  my  Spirit  all  things,  both  temporal  and 
spiritual,  were  created. 

33.  16  the  power  of  my  Spirit  quickeneth  all  things. 

35.  13  I  have  called  on  the  weak  things  of  the  world,  to  thresh 
the  nations  by  the  power  of  my  Spirit.     138.  59. 

42.  13—17  all  teachings  to  be  by  the  Spirit. 

45.  "»7  who  liave  taken  the  Holy  Spirit  for  their  guide,  shall 
abide  the  day. 

50.  10  come  saith  the  Lord,  by  the  Spirit,  let  us  reason  together. 

17—21  to  impart  the  truth,  it  must  be  preached  in  the  Spirit  of 
truth. 

27  the  light  the  Spirit  sent,  through  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  will 
of  the  Father 

61.  27  to  whom  is  given  power  to  command  the  waters,  Is  given 
the  Spirit  to  know  all  his  ways.  28. 

63.  32  angTy  with  the  wicked,  holding  my  Spirit  from  the  in- 
habitants of  the  earth. 

64.  16  they  sought  evil  in  their  hearts,  and  I  withheld  my 
Spirit. 

67.  11  no  man  has  seen  God  in  the  flesh,  except  quickened  by 
the  Spirit. 

71.  1  expounding  mysteries  of  the  scriptures,  according  to  the 
Spirit  and  power  given. 

72.  24  they  that  are  appointed  by  the  Spirit,  to  go  up  to  Zion. 
76.  11  J.  Smith,  Jun.,  and  S.  Rigdon,  being  in  the  Spirit. 

12, 13  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit  our  eyes  were  opened  to  see 
those  things  ordained  ot  the  Father  before  the  world  was.  18. 

28  while  yet  in  the  Spirit,  the  Lord  commanded  us  to  write  the 
vision.  80, 113.  ^ 


SPIRIT  OF    GOD.  155 

83  these  are  they  who  deny  not  the  Spirit. 

86  receive  not  of  his  fulness,  but  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

118  through  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  in  the  flesh,  be  able  t<i 
bear  his  presence. 

84.  45 — i7  whatsoever  is  ligh;  is  Spirit.  The  Spirit  enlightei* 
eth  every  man. 

93.  9—11  the  Spirit  of  truth  who  came  into  the  world.  23. 

26  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  of  God ;  I  am  the  Spirit  of  truth. 

95.  4  bring  to  pass  my  strange  act ;  pour  out  my  Spirit  on  aU 
flesh. 

97.  1  I  speak  unto  you  with  my  voice,  even  the  voice  of  mj 
Spirit. 

105.  36  the  voice  of  the  Spirit  shall  manifest  those  chosen. 

121.  37  when  compulsion  is  used,  the  Spirit  is  grieved. 

131.  5  more  sure  word  of  prophecy,  means  a  man's  knowing  he 
is  sealed  up  to  eternal  life,  by  the  Spirit  of  prophecy. 

136.  33  the  Spirit  sent  forth  into  the  world,  to  enlighten  the 
humble. 


THE   HOLY    GHOST. 


Luke  1.  15  John  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

67  and  his  father,  Zacharias,  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2.  26  it  was  revealed  to  Simeon  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

4.  1  Jesus,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  returned  from  Jordan. 

12.  12  Holy  Ghost  shall  teach  you,  in  the  same  hour,  what  ye 
shall  say. 

John  14.  26  the  Holy  Ghost  shall  teach  you  all  things. 

20.  22  he  breathed  on  them,  and  said,  receive  ye  the  Holy 
Ghost, 

Acts  1.  8  ye  shall  receive  power,  after  the  Holy  Ghost  shall 
come  upon  you. 

5.  3  why  hath  Satan  filled  thy  heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost? 

6.  3  look  ye  out  seven  men,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

8.  15  prayed  for  them  that  they  might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost. 
10.  44  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on  all  them  that  heard  the  word. 

13.  9  Paul,  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  set  his  eyes  on  him.  52. 

15.  28  for  it  seemed  good  to  the  Holy  Ghost  and  to  us. 

16.  6  were  forbidden  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach  in  Asia. 

21.  11  thus  saith  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  shall  the  Jews  at  Jeru- 
salem. 

1  Cor.  2.  13  not  of  men's  wisdom,  but  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
teacheth. 

6.  19  your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2  Cor.  13.  14  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  you. 
Hd).  3.  7  the  Holy  Ghost  saith,  to-day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice. 
2  Peter  1.  21  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the 

Holy  Ghost, 


156  SPIRIT   OF   GOD. 

Book  of  JHormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  11  Christ  should  make  himself  manifest,  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  ihe  Gentiles. 

19  the  mysteries  of  God  unfolded  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

11.  7  bare  record  that  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on  twelve  others. 

18  the  Messiah,  of  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  bear  record  from  the 
beginning. 

2  Nephi  26.  13  Christ  manifesteth  himself,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

31.  12  to  him  that  is  baptized  will  the  Father  give  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

13  by  baptism  ye  shall  receive  the  Holy  Ghost. 

17  then  cometh  a  remission  of  sins,  by  fire  and  the  Holy  Gho>t. 

32.  2  had  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  ye  could  speak  with  the 
tongue  of  angels. 

Jacob  6.  8  deny  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  quench  the 
Spirit. 

7.  17  Sherem  confessed  the  Christ,  and  power  of  the  Holv 
Ghost. 

Alma  13.  12  after  being  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  being  pure 
and  spotless. 

36.  24  ihey  might  be  born  of  God,  and  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

3  Nephi  9.  20  whoso  comes  to  me  with  a  contrite  spirit,  will  I 
baptize  with  the  Holy  Ghosi. 

11.  32  the  Holy  Ghost  bears  record  of  the  Father  and  the  Son. 
35,  36. 

15.  23  Christ  not  manifest  to  the  Gentiles,  except  by  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

16.  4  my  people,  at  Jerusalem,  receive  a  knowledge  of  you  by 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

20.  27  pouring  out  the  Holy  Ghost  through  me  upon  the  Gen- 
tiles, makes  them  mighty  to  the  scattering  of  my  people. 

28.  11  the  Father  giveth  the  Holy  Ghost  to  nien  because  of  me. 

4  Nephi  1.  48  being  constrained  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  Ammaron 
hid  up  the  sacred  records. 

Mormon  7.  7  sing  praises  to  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 
Ether  5.  4  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  beareth  'record .    Chap. 
12.  41. 

12.  23  made  this  people  that  they  could  speak  much,  because  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

Moroni  8.  26  of  meekness  cometh  visitation  of  tlie  Holy  Ghost, 
which  filleth  with  hope. 


Sec.  8.  2  will  tell  you  in  your  heart  and  mind,  by  the  Holv 
Ghost. 

18.  18  ask  and  ye  shall  receive  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  mani- 
festeth all  things!. 

20.  26—28  who  believed  in  all  the  holy  prophets,  who  spake  as 
they  were  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 


NAME   OF   CHRIST'S   CHURCH.  1 57 

35  neither  adding:  to  nor  diminishing  from  that  which  has 
come,  or  shall  come,  by  the  gift  and  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

60  ordination  is  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

34.  10  prophecy,  and  it  shall  be  given  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

39.  6  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  showeth  all  things. 

68.  4  what  ihey  shall  speak,  when  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
shall  be  scripture. 

100.  8  the  Holy  Ghost  shall  bear  record- of  what  you  say. 

107.  56  Adam,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  predicted  what  should 
•befall  his  posterity. 

109.  15  that  they  may  receive  a  fulness  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

121.  26  God  shall  give  the  Saints  knowledge  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

43  reproving  with  sharpness,  when  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

124.  5  given  you  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  know  concerning  kings 
and  authorities. 


^tarl  of  (Kuat  ^ri'te. 

Page  9.  in  that  day  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  upon  Adam. 
10.  the  Lord  God  called  upon  men,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  every- 
where. 

12.  the  Gospel  declared  by  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

13.  it  was  given  to  write  by  the  Spirit  of  inspiration. 

15  my  Spirit  is  upon  you,  wherefore  all  thy  words  will  I  justify. 
19.  Holy  Ghost  fell  on  many,  and  they  were  caught  up  into 
Zion. 


History  of  y.  Smithy  June  zf,  1842^ 


NAME  OF  CHRIST'S  CHURCH. 


The  name,  Saint,  "Signifies  a  holy  or  godly  per- 
son, one  that  is  so  by  profession,  covenant,  and  con- 
versation;" Cru.  Con. 

In  the  Old  Testament  it  means  one  who  worked 
righteousness,  and  one  in  whom  the  Lord  delighted, 
for  that  reason.  "But  to  the  Saints  that  are  in  the 
earth,  and  to  the  excellent,  in  whom  is  all  my  de- 
light;'* J^saim  16.  3.     "  Gather  my  Saints  together 


158  NAME  OF  Christ's  church. 

unto  me ;  those  that  have  made  a  covenant  with  me 
by  sacrifice;"  Psalm  50.  5. 

While  the  meaning  of  the  term  Saints  is  not 
changed  in  the  New  Testment,  it  is  used  in  the 
epistles  of  the  apostles  as  a  general  name  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  Jesus  Christ;  *' To  the  Saints  which  are  at 
Ephesus,  and  to  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus;"  Eph. 
I.I,  They  are  those  who  have  submitted  themselves 
to  Jesus  Christ,  and  have  become  his  subjects.  '^  Just 
and  true  are  thy   ways,  thou  king  of  Saints;"  Rev. 

15- 3- 

Jesus  said,  "  I  am  come  in  my  Father's  name,  and 
ye  receive  me  not:  if  another  shall  come  in  his  own 
name,  him  ye  will  receive;"  John  5.  43.  This  saying 
of  our  Savior's  is  as  applicable  to  the  Christian  world 
to-day,  as  it  was  to  the  people  to  whom  he  spake. 
The  Latter-day  Saints  have  come  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  preached  the  Gospel  of  repentance 
as  he  preached  it,  and  do  all  things  in  his  name,  and, 
yet,  the  most  of  the  world  reject  them. 

Some  Christian  sects  have  derived  their  names 
from  their  founders,  as  Calvanists,  Lutherans,  Wes- 
leyans.  Others  have  some  appellation  growing  out 
of  a  pecuharity  of  doctrine,  or  faith,  as  Baptists, 
Methodists  and  Presbyterians.  Others  again  derive 
their  name  from  historical  events  connected  with 
their  origin,  and  geographical  location,  as  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  Greek  Church,  Church  of  England, 
etc.  Not  a  church  in  all  the  world  bearing  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ,  except  that  of  the  Latter-day  Saints. 

Sectarians  may  ask,  are  we  not  called  Christians? 
But  the  name  of  our  Savior  was  Jesus  Christ,  not 
Christian.  The  early  Christians  first  received  that 
name  at  the  city  of  Antioch  ;  Acts  11 .  26. 

We  find  that  the  apostles,  in  their  epistles,  ad- 
dressed the  members  of  ^he  various  churches,  as 
Saints,  *' Beloved  of  God,  called  to  be  Saints;"  Rom. 
I.  7.  ^^To  the  Saints  and  faithful  brethren  in 
Christ;"  Col.  i.  2.  We  further  find  that  the  apostles 
do  not  speak  of  themselves  as  followers  of  men;  but 
Paul  calls  himself,  "An  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ  by 
<^be  will  of  God;"  Col,   i.   i.     i    Tim,    i.  i.     "Paul^ 


NAME  OF  Christ's  church.  159 

a  servant  of  God,  and  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ, 
according  to  the  faith  of  God's  elect;"  Titus  i,  i. 
Not  according  to  the  doctrines  of  Luther,  Calvin  or 
Wesley. 

The  most  definite  instructions  on  this  subject  are 
found  in  the  Book  of  Mormon.  When  the  Nephite 
disciples  of  Jesus  were,  at  a  certain  time,  united  in 
mighty  prayer  and  fasting,  he  came  and  stood  in  the 
midst  of  them,  and  asked  them,  "  What  will  ye  that 
I  shall  give  unto  you?"  "And  they  said  unto  him, 
Lord,  we  will  that  thou  wouldst  tell  us  the  name 
whereby  we  shall  call  this  church ;  for  there  are  dis- 
putations among  the  people  concerning  this  matter. 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  them.  Verily,  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  why  is  it  that  the  people  should  murmur 
and  dispute  because  of  this  thing?  Have  they  not 
read  the  scriptures,  which  say  ye  must  take  upon  you 
the  name  of  Christ,  which  is  my  name?  For  by  this 
name  shall  ye  be  called  at  the  last  day;  and  whoso 
taketh  upon  him  my  name,  and  endureth  to  the  end, 
the  same  shall  be  saved  at  the  last  day;  therefore 
whatsoever  ye  shall  do,  ye  shall  do  it  in  my  name; 
therefore  ye  shall  call  the  church  in  my  name;  and 
ye  shall  call  upon  the  Father  in  my  name,  that  he  will 
bless  the  church  for  my  sake;  and  how  be  it  my 
church,  save  it  be  called  in  my  name?  For  if  a  church 
be  called  in  Moses'  name,  then  it  be  Moses'  church; 
or  if  it  be  called  in  the  name  of  a  man,  then  it  be  the 
church  of  a  man;  but  if  it  be  called  in  my  name,  then 
it  is  my  church,  if  so  be  that  they  are  built  upon  my 
Gospel;"  ;^  Nephi  27,  2 — 8. 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  and  with  these  instructions  of  Jesus 
Christ,  when  the  church  was  organized  on  Gospel  prin- 
ciples, by  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,in  1830,  it  was  named, 
"  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ."  The  Lord  after- 
wards revealed  to  his  Prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  that  it 
should  be  called,  **The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints;"  Doc.  <Sr*  Cov,  115.  3,  4. 


l6o  TITHING. 

Psalm  16  8.  but  the  Saints  that  are  in  the  earth. 

Book  of  JHormoTt. 

Mos.  5.  7—12  the  disciples  of  Christ  exhorted  to  take  upon  them 
his  name. 


TITHING. 


The  history  of  ancient  Israel,  as  given  in  the  Old 
Testament,  evidences  that  the  law  of  tithing  was  in 
force  from  Abraham  until  their  destruction  as  a  na- 
tion. That  it  was  a  perpetual  law  of  the  Priesthood, 
and  did  not  pertain,  exclusively,  to  the  Mosaic  dis- 
pensation, is  apparent,  from  the  fact  that  Abram  paid 
tithes  to  Melchisedek;  Gen.  14.  20,  and  that  Jacob 
covenanted  to  give  a  tenth  to  the  Lord;  28.  22.  They 
lived  before  Moses. 

In  the  present  dispensation  the  law  "of  tithing 
was  revived,  and  the  keeping  of  that  law  is  one  of  the 
first  duties  of  the  Latter-day  Saints.  About  eighteen 
months  after  the  organization  of  the  church,  Septem- 
ber II,  1831,  the  Lord,  through  Joseph  the  Seer, 
made  this  important  declaration.  Speaking  after  the 
manner  of  the  Lord,  he  called  "to-day,"  from  the  giv- 
ing of  the  revelation  until  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 
Man,  and  said,  **  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  it  is  a  day  of 
sacrifice,  and  a  day  for  the  tithing  of  my  people ;  for 
he  that  is  tithed  shall  not  be  burned.  For  after  to- 
day cometh  the  burning."  That  is,  at  the  coming  of 
the  Son  of  Man  ;  "  For  verily  I  say,  to-morrow" — 
that  is,  at  my  coming — "all  the  proud  and  they  that 


TITHING.  1 61 

do  wickedly  shall  be  as  stubble;  and  I  will  burn 
them  up,  for  I  am  the  Lord  of  Hosts;"  Doc,  &^  Cov, 
64.  23,  24. 

In  this  declaration  we  are  assured  that  all  who 
call  themselves  the  Lord's  people,  and  do  not  pay 
their  tithing,  will  find  their  portion  among  the  wicked 
at  his  coming,  and  will  share  their  fate.  In  sec.  85.  3, 
the  Lord  reiterates  the  fact,  that  it  is  necessary  his 
people  should  be  tithed,  "  To  prepare  them  against 
the  day  of  vengeance  and  burning." 

The  names  of  those  who  do  not  keep  this  law  of 
tithing  shall  not  be  enrolled  with  the  people  of  God: 
««  Neither  is  their  genealogy  to  be  kept,  or  to  be  had 
where  it  may  be  found  on  any  of  the  records  or  his- 
tory of  the  church ;  Their  names  shall  not  be  found, 
neither  the  names  of  the  fathers,  nor  the  names  of  the 
children  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  of  God,  saith 
the  Lord  of  Hosts;"  85.  4,  5.  This  revelation  was 
also  given  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Church ; 
Nov.  27,  1832. 

Like  every  principle  connected  with  the  latter-day 
work,  tithing  must  needs  commence  with  the  leaders 
of  the  Dispensation.  The  following  very  interesting 
account  of  the  first  covenant  and  promise  concerning 
this  principle  will  be  found  in  the  History  of  Joseph 
Smith,  under  date  of  Nov.  29,  1834. 

The  occasion  was  one  of  rejoicing  for  the  bless- 
ings received  of  the  Lord.  The  narrative  says: 
"After  commencing  and  rejoicing  before  the  Lord  on 
this  occasion,  we  agreed  to  enter  into  the  following 
covenant  with  the  Lord,  viz.: — That  if  the  Lord  will 
prosper  us  in  our  business,  and  open  the  way  before 
us,  that  we  may  obtain  means  to  pay  our  debts,  that 
we  be  not  troubled  nor  brought  into  disrepute  before 
the  world,  nor  His  people;  after  that,  of  all  that  He 
shall  give  us,  we  will  give  a  tenth,  to  be  bestowed 
upon  the  poor  in  His  Church,  or  as  He  shall  com- 
mand; and  that  we  will  be  faithful  over  that  which  He 
has  entrusted  to  our  care,  that  we  may  obtain  much  ; 
and  that  our  children  after  us,  shall  remember  to  ob- 
serve t/iz's  sacred  and  holy  covenant;  and  that  our 
children,  and  our  children's  children,  may  know  of 


f62  TITHING. 

the   same,  we  have  subscribed  our  names  with  our 

own  hands. 

"Joseph  Smith,  Jun., 
"Oliver  Cowdery." 

After  the  above  covenant  the  following  is  recorded: 
"And  now,  O  Father,  as  thou  didst  prosper  our 
father  Jacob,  and  bless  him  with  protection  and  pros- 
perity wherever  he  went,  from  the  time  he  made  a 
like  covenant  before  and  with  thee;  as  thou  didst, 
even  the  same  night,  open  the  heavens  unto  him,  and 
manifest  great  mercy  and  power,  and  give  him  prom- 
ises, so  wilt  thou  do  with  us  his  sons;  and  as  his 
blessings  prevailed  above  his  progenitors  unto  the 
utmost  bounds  of  the  everlasting  hills,  even  so  may 
our  blessings  prevail  like  his." 

Notwithstanding  this  principle  began  to  be  taught 
soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Church,  it  required 
some  time  to  reach  practical  development,  for  no 
definite  law  concerning  it  was  revealed,  until  July 
8,  1838.  p 

The  custom  of  paying  labor  tithing,  appears  to 
have  been  commenced  when  building  the  Nauvoo 
Temple.  Of  a  meeting  of  some  of  the  leading 
authorities  of  the  Church,  in  Lima,  Illinois,  the  fol- 
lowing is  recorded,  in  His.  of  Joseph  Smith,  under  date 
of  October  23,  1841 :  "It  was  moved  and  seconded, 
That  all  those  who  are  willing  to  consecrate  one- 
tenth  of  their  time  and  property  to  the  building  of 
the  Temple  at  Nauvoo,  under  the  superintendence  of 
President  Morley  and  Counselors,  to  signify  it  by 
uplifted  hands ;  when  the  motion  was  carried  unani- 
mously." 

The  following  is  a  ''^Revelation  given  through 
Joseph^  the  Prophet^  at  Far  IVest,  Missouri,  July  %ih, 
1838,  in  answer  to  the  question^  O  Lord^  show  unto 
thv  servants  how  7nuch  thou  requirest  of  the  proper- 
ties of  the  people  for  a  tithifig? 

"Verily,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  require  all  their 
surplus  property  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
bishop  of  my  church  of  Zion,for  the  building  of  mine 
house,  and  for  the  laying  of  the  foundation  of  Zion 


TITHING.  103 

and  for  the  Priesthood,  and  for  the  debts  of  the 
Presidency  of  my  church. 

"And  this  shall  be  the  beginning  of  the  tithing  of 
my  people;  and  after  that,  those  who  have  thus  been 
tithed,  shall  pay  one-tenth  of  all  their  interest  annu- 
ally; and  this  shall  be  a  standing  law  unto  them  for 
ever,  for  my  holy  Priesthood,  saith  the  Lord. 

"Verily  I  say  unto  you,  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that 
all  those  who  gather  unto  the  land  of  Zion  shall  be 
tithed  of  their  surplus  properties,  and  shall  observe 
this  law,  or  they  shall  not  be  found  worthy  to  abide 
among  you. 

"And  I  say  unto  you,  if  my  people  observe  not 
this  law,  to  keep  it  holy,  and  by  this  law  sanctify  the 
land  of  Zion  unto  me,  that  my  statutes  and  my  judg' 
ments  may  be  kept  thereon,  that  it  may  be  most  holy, 
behold,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  it  r.hall  not  be  a  land  of 
Zion  unto  you;  and  this  shall  be  an  ensample  unto 
all  the  Stakes  of  Zion.  Even  so.  Amen;"  Doc.&^ 
Cov.  Sec.  119. 

The  law  of  tithing,  as  embodied  in  the  revela- 
tions referred  to,  is  an  immutable  decreee  of  Jehovah 
to  his  people,  and  admits  of  no  evasion  by  those  who 
would  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  faithful  on  the  land 
of  Zion,  or  be  classed  among  the  righteous,  and 
avoid  the  burning  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord. 


Lev,  27.  30  the  tithe  of  the  Land  shall  be  the  Lord's. 

?2  the  tenth  of  the  lierd  and  tlie  fiock  shall  be  holy. 

33  not  to  search  whether  it  be  good  or  bad,  neither  shall  he 
c}iMn,i;e  it. 

Nam.  18.  26—28  the  Levites  paid  a  tenth  of  their  tithes  to  the 
priests. 

Dcut.  12.  17,  18  tithes  to  be  eaten  In  the  place  the  Lord  should 
choose.     Chap.  14.  23,  24. 

28  the  tithe  of  the  third  year  to  be  laid  up. 

14.  22,  23  thou  Shalt  surely  tithe  all  the  increase  of  thy  seed. 

2(5.  12  hast  made  an  end  of  tithing  all  the  tithes  of  thy  in- 
crease. 

2  Chron.  31.  5,  6  Israel  brought  the  tithes  of  all  things,  abun- 
dantly. 

Neh.  10.  37,  38  the  tithes  of  Israel  were  brought  to  the  Levitea, 
and  they  paid  a  tenth  to  the  house  of  the  Lord. 


164  THE  APOSTACY. 

13.  12  men  appointed  over  the  treasuries  of  the  house  of  the 
Lord. 

Amos  4.  4  bring  your  sacrifices  every  morning,  and  your  tithes 
after  three  years, 

Mai.  3.  8  wherein  have  we  robbed  thee?  In  tithes  and  offer- 
ings. 

10  bring  ye  all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse. 

3fatt.  23.  23  Pharisees  paid  tithes,  but  omitted  the  weightier 
mattei-s  of  the  law. 

Luke  11.  42  for  ye  tithe  mint  and  rue,  and  pass  over  judgment 
and  the  love  of  God. 

18.  12  I  fast  twice  in  a  week,  I  give  tithes  of  all  I  possess. 

Ileb.  7.  5  the  sons  of  the  Levites  to  take  tithes  of  the  people.  6, 
8,9. 


See  Sermon  by  B,    Young,    y.  of  D.,  Vol.  r,  page  5/. 
"             "    G.  Q,  Cauuon,    "  "     yf,     "     z//. 

''    F.  D.  Richards:'  *'     /?•,     "       5^, 

**  ^^' B.   Young,  •'  '*     16,     "     III, 


APOSTACY   OF    THE    PRIMITIVE 
CHURCH. 


The  Gospel  dispensation  inaugurated  by  our 
Savior,  while  on  his  earthly  mission,  was  not  a  gat'n- 
ering  one.  Israel  had  already  been  widely  scattered. 
That  scattering  was  soon  to  result  in  the  complete 
desolation  of  the  land  of  Palestine. 

Wherever  the  people  received  the  Gospel  through 
the  preaching  of  the  apostles,  they  were  organized 
into  churches.  They  not  only  had  their  old  tradi- 
tions and  customs  to  contend  with,  but  there  was  no 
relief  from  the  general  pagan  influences  under  which 
they  had  been  educated.  Add  to  these  things,  the 
persecutions  the  early  Saints  were  exposed  to,  and  it 
could  not  well  be  otherwise  than  that  many  of  them 
shQuld  be  weak  in  the  faith. 


THE   A  POST  AC  Y.  1 65 

The  epistles  of  the  apostles  inform  us  that  they 
had  often  contended  with  false  teachers  and  doc- 
trines in  the  primitive  churches.  **  Even  now,"  said 
the  apostle  John,  "are  there  many  anti-Christs."  i 
Jolui  2.  18.  The  apostle  Paul,  in  his  second  epistle 
to  Timothy,  informs  us,  that  "In  the  last  days  peril- 
ous times  shall  come;"  2  TitJi.  3.  i. 

In  the  following  three  verses  he  enumerates  all 
manner  of  wickedness  which  shall  be  prevalent  in 
the  latter  times.  He  evidently  means  in  the  Christian 
churches, .or  among  those  who  profess  godliness,  for 
in  the  fifth  verse  of  the  same  chapter,  ne  speaks  of 
their  having  "A  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the 
power  thereof." 

The  apostle  Paul  exhorted  the  Colossians  to  "be 
not  moved  away  from  the  hope  of  the  Gospel,  which 
ye  have  heard,  and  which  was  preached  to  every 
creature  which  is  under  heaven;"  CoL  i.  23. 

About  fifty-seven  years  after  the  Savior  had  closed 
his  earthly  mission,  if  we  are  correctly  informed  in 
the  second  and  third  chapters  of  the  Revelations  of 
St.  John,  there  were  but  seven  churches  in  Asia 
whom  the  Lord  considered  worthy  of  notice.  This, 
coupled  with  the  assertion  of  Paul,  that  the  Gospel 
had,  in  his  day,  been  preached  to  every  creature, 
proves  that  its  light  only  faintly  glimmered,  in  the 
otherwise  universal  darkness,  which  existed  at  the 
time  John  had  his  vision  on  the  isle  of  Patmos. 

John  the  Revelator  saw  Rome  in  all  her  glory,  in 
his  day,  reigning  over  the  kings  of  the  earth,  full  of 
riches  and  all  manner  of  abominations,  and  drunken 
with  the  blood  of  the  Saints  and  of  the  martyrs  of 
Tesus;  Rev.  ly.  This  great  power,  drenched  in  the 
Wood  of  the  martyrs,  about  325  A.D.,  in  the  reign 
if  Constantine,  adopted  what  was  then  known  as 
ll.ristianity,  as  the  religion  of  the  empire. 

It  was  not  possible  that  such  a  wicked,  corrupt 
-element  and  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  could  have  any 
irfinity.  Rather,  is  it  not  evident  that  the  antago- 
nism of  Christianity  and  paganism  had  measurably 
ceased?  that  they  had  assimilated?  that  they  had 
both   so  nearly  found  the   same   level,  that  with   a 


l66  THE   APOSTACY. 

slight  pressure  of  governmental  policy  they  readily 
amalgamated  ? 

Not  only  prophecy  but  general  history,  and  espe- 
cially the  history  of  Christianity  by  its  learned  pro- 
fessors, furnish  abundant  evidence  of  its  early  depar- 
ture from  the  pure  principles  of  the  Gospel. 

The  prophetic  history  of  the  preparatory  work,  for 
the  coming  of  Christ  to  reign  on  the  earth  in  the  lat- 
ter days,  is  predicated  on  the  apostacy  of  the  primitive 
Christian  church,  the  general  wickedness  of  the  na- 
tions, and  the  gathering  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

Since  the  calling  of  Abraham,  the  authenticated 

Eersonal  manifestations  of  the  Lord  to  man  have 
een  through  him  and  his  family.  Christ  came  to  his 
own  chosen  people.  His  earthly  mission  was  com- 
menced and  consummated  in  the  midst  of  Israel.  The 
Gospel  was  first  preached  to  the  Jews.  His  apostles 
were  choseu  from  his  brethren  of  the  seed  of  Abra- 
ham. The  first  church  of  Christ  was  estabhshed  at 
Jerusalem.  The  apostles  were  commanded  to  remain 
there  until  endowed  with  power  from  on  high.  All 
the  blessings  of  salvation  are  promised  to  mankind 
through  the  seed  of  Abraham. 

When  the  Lord  comes  in  glory  and  power,  the 
prophets  inform  us  that  he  will  come  to  Zion  and 
Jerusalem,  the  chief  cities  of  gathered  Israel.  The 
apostle  Paul  informs  us  that  *'  God  hath  set  some  in 
the  church,  first  apostles,  secondarily  prophets, 
thirdly  teachers,  after  that  miracles,  then  gifts  of 
healings,  helps,  governments,  diversities  of  tongues ;" 
I  Cor,  12.  28. 

From  the  above  it  is  evident  that,  had  the  church 
of  Christ  been  on  the  earth  in  the  past  centuries,  it 
would  have  been  organized  like  the  primitive  church, 
with  apostles  and  prophets  of  the  house  of  Israel  at 
the  head  of  it.  More  than  that,  it  would  have  enjoyed 
all  the  spiritual  gifts  and.  blessings  mentioned  in  the 
above  chapter. 

John  the  Revelator,  in  his  visions  of  the_  latter 
times,  says,  **And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the 
midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting  Gospel  to 
preach  unto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every 


THE   APOSTACY.  167 

nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people;"  Rev. 
14.  6. 

No  one  who  has  any  faith  in  the  Scriptures  would 
assert  that  the  Gospel  preached  by  Jesus  and  his 
apostles  was  not  the  '^Everlasting  Gospel."  If  ever- 
lasting, it  must  of  necessity  be  the  same  wherever 
found.  If  the  same  Gospel,"it  would  always  produce 
the  same  results.  Its  ordinances  would  be  the  same. 
Its  followers  would  enjoy  the  same  gifts  and  bless- 
ings. They  would  call  themselves  Saints.  They 
would  have  an  organization  that  would  not  vary  from 
the  church  organized  by  Jesus  and  his  apostles.  They 
would  have  been  led  by  apostles  and  prophets  of  the 
house  of  Israel. 

Instead  of  this,  the  Christian  churches  and  na- 
tions have  for  many  centuries  ground  the  House  of 
Israel  with  the  iron  heel  of  oppression.  They  have 
robbed,  driven  and  slain  the  covenant  people  of  God, 
the  chosen  people  of  that  same  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
whose  precepts  and  example  they  profess  to  follow. 

The  Shiloh  came  and  the  sceptre  departed  from 
Judah.  A  series  of  terrible  oppressions  commenced 
under  Roman  governors,  which  resulted  in  the  des- 
truction of  Jerusalem,  and  of  the  Jews  as  a  nation ; 
that  may  be  considered  the  beginning  of  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  prediction  of  our  Savior,  "Jerusalem 
shall  be  trodden  down  of  the  Gentiles,  until  the  times 
of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled;"  Luke  21.  24. 

The  reasonable  construction  of  this  passage  is, 
that  **The  times  of  the  Gentiles"  means  the  period 
in  which  they  will  bear  rule,  oppress  Israel,  and  hold 
possession  of  the  heritage  of  the  seed  of  Abraham. 

When  "  The  times  of  the  Gentiles  shall  be  ful- 
filled," when  the  angel,  seen  in  vision  by  John  the 
Revelator,  shall  have  brought  again  to'  earth  the 
"Everlasting  Gospel,"  will  "also  be  "The  times  of 
restitution  oi  all  things,  which  God  hath  spoken  by 
the  mouth  of  all  his  noly  prophets  since  the  world 
began;"  Acts  3.  21. 

The  first  century  of  the  Christian  era  was  a  very 
important  one  in  the  world's  history.  The  covenant 
people  of  God  ceased  to  exist  as  a  nation.     The 


l68  THE   APOSTACY. 

civilized  world,  represented  by  the  Roman  em])ire, 
with  Paganism  as  the  prevailing  religion,  began  to 
fill  up  the  measure  of  its  iniquity  by  shedding  the 
blood  of  the  apostles,  and  of  tne  disciples  of  Jesus. 
Pagan  philosophy  counteracted  Gospel  influences. 
There  was  a  constant  tendency  in  Christianity  and 
paganism  to  assimilate.  This  is  evident  from  the 
writings  of  the  apostles. 

That,  after  Christianity  became  the  leading  ele- 
ment of  the  Roman  empire,  it  ceased  to  be  regenera- 
tive in  its  nature,  is  evidenced  by  the  fact,  that  the 
empire  was  often  scourged  with  destructive  civil  wars 
which  prepared  it  for  dissolution.  It  was  finally 
crushed  by  barbarian  hordes.  They  desolated  whole 
provinces,  leaving  only  remnants  of  corrupt  peoples, 
to  be  measurably  regenerated  by  an  infusion  of  new 
blood  from  the  plains  of  eastern  Europe,  and  western 
Asia.  Both  sacred  and  profane  history  have  failed 
to  record  an  instance  of  a  people  who,  living  under 
the  regenerating  influences  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus, 
and  enjoying  the  favor  of  God,  were  broken  and 
destroyed  by  such  terrible  scourges  as  visited  the 
Roman  empire  the  first  five  centuries  of  the  Christian 
era.  Modern  nations  have  risen  from  its  ashes,  have 
adopted  its  religion,  its  customs,  its  ethics,  without 
inspiration  from  heaven,  without  any  further  Gospel 
dispensation,  without  apostles  and  prophets  of  the 
house  of  Israel,  and  without  the  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Priesthood,  after  the  order  of  the  Son  of  God,  which 
the  Lord  has  decreed  should  only  come  through  the 
seed  of  Abraham. 

Isa.  24.  2  as  with  the  people,  so  with  the  priest. 
5  the  earth  also  is  defiled  under  the  inhabitants  thereof. 
17  fear  and  the  pit  are  upon  thee,  O  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
Ban.  7.  25  he  shall  speak  great  words  against  the  Most  High, 
and  shall  wear  out  the  Saints. 

8.  10  it  waxed  great,  even  to  the  host  of  heaven. 

11  by  him  the  daily  sacrifice  was  taken  away. 

12  it'  cast  down  the  truth  to  the  ground,  and  it  practised  and 
prospered. 

23  tlie  latter  time  of  their  kingdom,  when  the  transgressors  are 
come  to  the  full. 


THE  APOSTACV.  I69 

25  through  his  policy  he  shall  cause  craft  to  prosinjr  in  liis 
hand.  26. 

Mail.  24.  10  many  shall  be  offended,  and  shall  betray  and  hate 
one  another. 

Acts  20.  29  after  my  departure  shall  grievous  wolves  enter  in 
among  you.  80. 

1  Jim,  1.  6  some  have  turned  aside  to  vain  jnngling.  7. 
19  concerning  fjiith  have  made  shipwreck. 

4.  1  in  the  laitor  limes  some  shnll  depart  fnmi  the  faith. 

2.  3  spealcing  lies  in  hyi>oerisy.  forbidding  to  marry. 

2  Tivi.  2.  is'wlio  eoneorniiig  the  truth  luive  erred. 

3.  1  know  also,  that  in  tlio  last  days  perilous  times  shnll  come. 
2—7  men  shall  be  lovei*s  of  their  own  selves,  without  natural 

affection.     Ever  learning  and  never  able  to  come  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  truth. 

12  all  that  will  live  Godly  in  Christ  Jcmis  shall  suffer  persecu- 
tion. 

4.  16  at  my  first  answer  no  man  stood  with  me. 

Titus  1.  10, 11  many  unruly  and  vain  talkere,  deceivers,  who 
subvert  whole  houses. 

3.  9  avoid  foolish  quentions,  contentions,  and  strivings.  10. 

2  Peter  2,  1  who,  privily,  shall  bring  in  damnable  heresies. 

Bev.  16.  6  for  they  have  shed  the  blood  of  the  Saints  and  pro- 
phets. 

17.  1,2  the  great  whore  that  sitteth  upon  the  watere.  Chap.  18. 
3,  9. 

5  the  mystery,  Babylon,  the  mother  of  harlots. 

6  the  woman,  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the  Saints,  and  the 
martyrs  of  Jesus. 

15  the  waters  which  thou  sawest  are  peoples,  multitudes  and 
nations. 

18  the  woman  is  that  great  city  which  reigneth  over  the  kings 
of  the  earth. 

18.  2  Babylon  is  become  the  habitation  of  devils,  the  hold  of 
every  foul  spirit. 

24  in  her  was  found  the  blood  of  the  prophets. 

19.  2  he  hath  judged  the  great  whore  which  did  corrupt  the 
earth. 

Book  of  ^Tormon. 

1  Nephi  13.  5  the  foundation  of  a  church  which  is  most  abom- 
inable, which  .slayeth  the  Saints  of  God.  Chap.  14.  3, 9, 10.  Chaii 
22.  14.    2  Nephi  28.  18. 

9  for  the  praise  of  the  world  they  destroy  the  Saints. 

24—31  the  Jewish  record  went  forth  in  piu'ity  to  the  Gentiles, 
but  the  CJentiles  took  away  the  most  precious  parts,  for  which  rea- 
son many  .stumble. 

14.  11  she  had  dominion  over  all  the  earth,  and  sat  upon  many 
waters. 

12  the  Saints  of  God  were  scattered  over  the  earth,  and  their 
dominions  were  small,  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the  great 
whore. 

13  mother  of  abominations  gathered  together  multitudes  to 
fight  against  the  Lamb  of  God. 


170  THE  APOSTACY. 

15  the  wrath  of  God  poured  out  on  that  abominable  church. 
16, 17. 

15.  13  many  generations  after  the  Messiah  shall  be  manifested 
in  the  body,  the  fulness  of  the  Gospel  shall  come  to  the  Gentiles. 

22.  22,  23  the  kingdom  of  the  devil  built  up  among  the  children 
of  men. 

2  JSephi  26.  19—22  refers  to  the  time  when  the  children  of  Lehi 
(the  American  Indians)  shall  be  smitten  and  driven  by  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  gives  an  unmistakable  description  of  the  Christian 
world  of  the  present  day. 

27.  1  in  the  latter  days,  all  shall  be  drunken  with  iniquity. 

28.  3  every  one  that  hath  built  up  churches,  and  not  unto  the 
Lord,  shall  say,  I  am  the  Lord's. 

4  they  and  their  priests  shall  contend  one  with  another. 
G  they  shall  say,  in  this  day  God  is  not  a  God  of  miracles. 

29.  3  a  Bible,  we  have  got  a  Bible ;  there  cannot  be  any  more. 

3  Nej)hi  16.  7  in  the  latter  days  shall  the  truth  come  unto  the 
irentiles.    1  Nephi  15.  13.    Rev.  14.  6. 

Sec.  1.  15  they  have  strayed  from  mine  ordinances  and  broken 
mine  everlasting  covenant. 

16  every  man  -.valkeih  in  his  own  way,  after  the  image  of  his 
own  God. 

17, 18  Joseph  Smith.  Jun.,  and  others  commanded  to  proclaim 
thesG  things,  that  the  sayings  of  the  prophets  might  be  fulfilled. 

30  to  bring  forth  the  only  true  and  living  church,  out  of  ob- 
scurity and  darknciss. 

5.  6  you  shall  be  ordained  to  deliver  my  words  to  the  children 
of  men. 

29.  21  chat  great  and  abominable  church  shall  be  cast  down. 

35.  11  shall  not  anything  be  shown  forth  except  desolations 
on  Babylon  ? 

38.  11  for  all  flesh  is  corrupted  before  me. 

86.  1—7  an  explanation  of  the  parable  of  the  wheat  and  tares. 
Sec.  88.  94. 

133.  14  go  ye  out  from  among  the  nations,  even  from  Babylon. 

P^arl  of  OJcnat  ^xiu. 

Page  3.  in  a  day  when  men  would  take  many  of  the  words 
from  the  book  which  Moses  should  write,  the  Lord  promised  to 
raise  up  another  like  him,  when  they  should  be  had  again  among 
men.  2  Nephi  3.  9. 

21  so  will  I  come  in  the  last  days,  in  the  days  of  wickedness 
and  vengeance. 

See  O,  Spencer^ s  Letters  to  Rev,   Wm,  Crowel^  No,  6. 
••  Universal  Apostacy*^  a  pamphlet  by  O,  Pratt, 


JERUSALEM.  lyj 


THE    JERUSALEM    OF   THE    EASTERN 
*      HEMISPHERE. 


The  earliest  account  we  have  of  Jerusalem  is  in 
the.  fourteenth  chapter  of  Genesis^  under  the  date  of 
1913  B.  C. 

When  Abram  was  returning  from  the  slaughter  of 
the  five  kings,  Melchisedek,  king  of  Salem,  brought 
him  refreshments.  He  was  a  righteous  prince  and  a 
priest  of  the  Most  High  God;  and  he  blessed 
Abram. 

Josephus,  the  Jewish  historian,  states  that  this 
city  of  Salem  was  afterwards  called  Jerusalem; 
An^.  of  the  Jews^  B.  i..  Chapter  10.  It  has  been 
the  scene  of  many  great  events  connected  with  the 
ministry  of  the  holy  Priesthood  on  the  earth. 

Abram  was  commanded  to  offer  his  son  Isaac,  on 
one  of  the  mountains  in  the  land  of  Moriah;  Gen. 
22.  2.  Josephus  says,  that  the  mountain  on  which 
Abram  built  an  altar,  to  offer  his  son  Isaac,  was  the 
same  on  which  king  David  (Solomon)  afterwards 
built  a  temple. 

The  Jebusites  retained  possession  of  the  city  of 
Jerusalem  until  1048  B.  C,  when  it  was  subdued  by 
David.  He  first  took  the  stronghold  of  Zion ;  *'The 
same  is  the  city  of  David."  At  that  time,  this  was 
only  a  strong  outwork  or  fortification  for  the  defence 
of  the  city;  2  Sam.  5.  6 — 9. 

In  the  days  of  Solomon,  Jerusalem  became  a 
great  and  strong  city,  with  a  magnificent  temple 
towering  on  Mount  Moriah. 

From  its  conquest  by  David,  until  the  death  of 
Solomon,  it  was  the  capital  city  of  Israel,  and  after- 
wards of  the  kingdom  of  Judah.  B.  C.  585,  Jerusa- 
salem  was  burned  by  the  army  of  Nebuchadnezzar, 
and  the  better  part  of  the  inhabitants   of  the  land 


172  JERUSALEM. 

were  carried  captive  to  Babylon;  2  Kings,  chapters 
24  and  25. 

The  city  was  re-established  at  the  end  of  the 
seventy  years'  captivity.  It  afterwards  played  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  history  of  that  part  of  Asia. 

Almost  under  the  shadow  of  its  walls,  our  Savior 
was  born.  It  was  the  central  place  of  the  scenes  of 
his  earthly  mission.  In  it  he  was  scourged  and  con- 
demned to  death.  Just  outside  of  its  walls,  and  in 
sight  of  its  towers,  and  the  glorious  temple  built  to 
his  name,  the  God  of  Israel  died  the  death  of  a  male- 
factor. 

It  was  here,  and  near  here,  that  he  consummated 
his  earthly  mission,  and  ascended  to  his  Father. 

In  A.  C.  70,  the  land  of  Judea,  and  city  of  Jeru- 
salem, were  made  a  desolation  by  the  Roman  armies, 
and  the  Jews,  as  a  nation,  entirely  rooted  out  of  their 
heritage,  and  scattered  among  all  nations. 

For  information  on  this  subject,  the  student  should 
read,  carefully,  Josephus'  '-'-Wars  of  the  Jews.''' 

Up  to  this  time,  in  her  history,  many  prophecies 
were  fulfilled.  In  her  future  many  more  are  to  be  ful- 
filled, for  she  is  yet  to  take  an  important  part  in  the 
great  work  of  the  latter  days.  Like  the  New  Jerusa- 
lem of  the  American  continent,  this  city  will  descend 
out  of  heaven,  after  the  final  change  of  the  earth  to 
its  celestial  condition;  Rev.  21.  10 — 27. 

It  is  often  called  Zion  in  the  Old  Testament,  and 
will  be  the  capital  city  of  gathered  Israel  on  the 
Eastern  hemisphere,  in  the  latter  days. 

There  are  many  passages  in  the  Scriptures  relat- 
ing to  this  important  city.  A  few  are  appended  to 
assist  the  student  in  further  researches  concerning  it. 

milt. 

Dent.  31.  29  evil  will  befall  you  iu  the  latter  days,  because  ye 
will  do  evil. 

1  Kings  U.  11—1?.  Lord  declared  he  would  rend  the  kingdom 
from  Soioni  on. 

14.  15  Lord  shall  root  up  Israel,  and  scatter  them  beyond  the 
river. 

2  Mngs  20.  17, 18  treasures  laid  up  by  the  fathers,  to  be  carried 
to  Babylon. 


JERUSALEM.  173 

23.  27  I  will  remove  Judah  out  of  my  sight,  as  I  have  removed 
Israel. 

2  Chron.  36.  21  the  land  shall  enjoy  her  Sabbaths  seventy  years. 
Jer.  2'J.  10. 

Isa.  4.  this  chapter  evidently  refers  to  the  latter  days,  and  to 
the  Zion  of  the  Western  Hemisphere,  and  to  the  city  of  Jerusalem, 
on  the  Eastern. 

25.  G— lii  in  this  mountain  shall  the  Lord  make  a  feast  of  fat 
things.  He  will  destroy  the  face  of  the  covering  cast  over  aU  peo- 
ple,   He  ^vill  swallow  up  death  in  victory. 

32.  9—18  land  of  Israel  to  be  desolate,  until  the  Spirit  is  poured 
out  from  on  high. 

52.  9, 10  sing  together,  ye  waste  places  of  Jerusalem. 

51.  17  stand  up,  O  Jerusalem,  which  has  drunk  of  the  cup  of 
his  fury. 

Jer.  25.  11  these  nations  shall  serve  the  king  of  Babylon  seventy 
years. 

18  to  make  Jerusalem  and  her  kings  a  desolation,  and  a  curse. 

26.  IS  Micah  prophesied  that  Zion  should  be  plowed  like  a 
field. 

50.  4  in  those  days  Israel  and  Judah,  together,  shall  come,  go- 
ing and  weeping. 

51.  19 — 23  Israel  the  rod  of  the  Lord's  inheritance,  with  which 
he  will  break  in  pieces  their  enemies. 

Ezek.  38  and  39.  these  cliapters  are  a  prophecy  of  the  gathering 
of  the  nations  against  Jerusalem  in  the  latter  days. 

Zeph.  1.  this  chapter  is,  evidently,  a  prophecy  of  the  desolation 
of  Jerusalem. 

Haggal  2.  9  the  glory  of  this  latter  house,  shall  be  greater  than 
that  of  the  former. 

Zech.  12.  the  restoration  of  Judah. 

Chap.  14.  in  the  latter  days  the  Lord  will  deliver  Jerusalem 
from  the  nations  that  will  go  up  to  battle  against  it.  . 

Matt.  24.  Destruction  of  Jerusalem  foretold.  P.  of  G.  1\,  page  ;^8. 

Luke  19.  41—44  Christ  foretells  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem. 
Chap.  23.  28—30. 


See  Article,  by  C.   IV,  Penrose,   Mil,   Star,    Vol.  jo,  page 

353- 

**  New  yerusalem,"  a pampJilct  by  O.  Pratt, 


174  NEW  JERUSALEM, 


NEW  JERUSALEM. 


The  Jaredite  prophet,  Ether,  predicted,  600  B.C., 
that  a  city  which  should  be  called  a  holy  city,  should 
be  built  on  the  land  of  North  America,  and  that  it 
should  be  built  up  unto  the  remnant  of  the  seed  of 
Joseph.  He  further  informs  us,  that  it  should  be 
called  the  New  Jerusalem,  to  distinguish  it  from 
Jerusalem  which  should  be  built  on  the  eastern  hemis- 
phere; ^^6?^- 13.  3— 8. 

Ether  also  saw  that  this  New  Jerusalem  was  the 
one  that  John  the  Revelator  saw,  in  vision,  coming 
down  out  of  heaven.  **  Until  the  end  come,  when 
the  earth  shall  pass  away,  and  there  shall  be  a  new 
heaven  and  a  new  earth;  and  they  shall  be  like  unto 
the  old,  save  the  old  have  passed  away,  and  all  things 
have  become  new.  And  then  cometh  the  New  Jeru- 
salem;" verses  8 — 10.  Rev,  21.  2. 

Our  Savior,  in  his  personal  ministration  among 
the  Nephites,  six  hundred  years  after  the  predictions 
of  Ether,  renews  the  promise  that  a  New  Jerusalem 
should  be  built  upon  this  land. 

Speaking  to  the  Nephites,  he  says:  "This  people 
will  I  establish  in  this  land,  unto  the  fulfilling  of  the 
covenant  which  I  made  with  your  father  Jacob;  and 
it  shall  be  a  New  Jerusalem ;''  3  Nephi  20.  22. 

The  Savior  again  says,  speaking  to  the  Gentiles, 
that  those  who  shall  come  into  the  covenant,  shall 
"be  numbered  among  this  the  remnant  of  Jacob." 
"And  they  shall  assist  my  people,  the  remnant  of 
Jacob,  and  also,  as  many  ot  the  house  of  Israel  as 
shall  come,  that  they  may  build  a  city,  which  shall  be 
called  the  New  Jerusalem;  and  then  shall  they  assist 
my  people  that  they  may  be  gathered  in,  who  are 
scattered  upon  all  the  face  of  the  land  in  unto  the 
New  Jerusalem;"  21.  22 — 24.  "* 


NEW  JERUSALEM.  1/5 

We  learn  from  the  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Cove- 
nants, that  this  New  Jerusalem*  is  to  be  the  city  of 
Zion,  of  the  latter  days.  ''And  it  shall  be  called  the 
New  Jerusalem,  a^  land  of  peace,  a  city  of  refuge,  a 
place  of  safety  for  the  Saints  of  the  most  High  God; 
And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  there,  and  the  ter- 
ror of  the  Lord  also  shall  be  there,  insomuch  that  the 
wicked  will  not  come  unto  it,  and  it  shall  be  called 
Zion;"  Doc.  &-»  Cov,  45.  66,  67. 

This  is,  also,  the  Zion  spoken  of  by  the  ancient 
Jewish  prophets,  as  separate  and  distinct  from  the 
Zion,  or  Mount  Zion,  that  was  in  Jerusalem,  in  the 
land  of  Palestine. 

In  the  following  passages,  evidently,  two  distinct 
places  are  intended.  "Zion  is  a  wilderness,  Jerusa- 
lem a  desolation;"  Isa.  64.  10.  ''For  the  law  shall 
go  forth  of  Zion,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  Jeru- 
salem;" Micah  4.  2. 

There  are  three  Zions  spoken  of  in  the  sacred 
writings — the  Zion  on  the  American  continent,  the 
Zion  at  Jerusalem,  and  the  Zion  of  Enoch.  For  some 
account  of  the  Zion  of  Enoch,  see  Pearl  of  Great 
Price^  i)ages  18 — 22.  On  the  22d  page  we  learn,  that, 
when  Christ  shall  come,  the  Zion  of  the  western 
hemisphere  and  the  Zion  of  Enoch  shall  be  united 
in  one.  There  the  Lord  will  reside,  and  it  will  be  the 
gathered  Zion  "which  shall  come  forth  out  of  all  the 
creations  which  I  have  made." 

Vmlm  14.  7  oh  that  the  salvation  of  Israel  were  come  out  of 
Zion! 

48.  2  beautiful  for  situation  is  Mount  Zion,  on  the  sides  of  the 
north.  11—14. 

7sa.  1.  27  Zion  shall  be  redeemed  with  judgment. 

2.  3  tiut  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

40.  9  0  Zion  that  bringest  good  tidings,  get  thee  up  into  the 
high  mountain. 

40.  19—26  the  land  of  thy  destruction  shall  be  too  narrow.  I 
)viU  lift  up  mine  hand  to  the  Gentiles.  Kings  shall  be  thy  nurs- 
msc  fathers.  I  will  feed  them  that  oppress  thee  with  their  own 
flOsh. 

51.  11  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  come  to  Zion, 


176 


NEW  JERUSALEM. 


52.  1  put  on  thy  strength,  O  Zion. 

59.  20  and  the  Redeemer  shall  come  to  Zion. 

64.  10  Zion  is  a  wilderness,  Jerusalem  a  desolation. 

Jer.  3,  14  will  take  you  one  of  a  city  and  two  of  a  family,  and 
bring  you  to  Zion. 

31.  6—14  arise,  let  us  go  up  to  Zion.  Behold,  I  will  bring  them 
from  the  north  country.  They  shall  come  with  weeping.  They 
shall  come  and  sing  In  the  heights  of  Zion.  The  virgin  shall  re- 
joice in  the  dance. 

50.  4,  5  the  children  of  Israel  shall  come,  they  and  the  children 
of  Judah  together.  They  shall  ask  the  way  to  Zion,  with  their 
faces  thitherward. 

Joel  2.  32  for  in  Mount  Zion,  and  in  Jerusalem,  shall  be  deliv- 
erance. 

3.  16  the  Lord  shall  roar  out  of  Zion,  and  utter  his  voice  from 
Jerusalem . 

Ohad.  21.  Saviors  shall  come  up  on  Mount  Zion. 

Zeph.  3.  14  sing,  O  daughter  of  Zion,  rejoice,  O  daughter  of 
Jerusalem. 

16  said  to  Jerusalem,  fear  not ;  and  to  Zion,  let  not  thine  hands 
be  slack. 

Zech.  1.  17  the  Lord  shall  yet  comfort  Zion,  and  choose  Jeru- 
salem. 

2.  10, 11  the  Lord  will  dwell  in  the  midst  ot  Zion,  and  many 
nations  shall  be  joined  to  him. 

Rom.  11.  26  there  shall  come  out  of  Zion  the  Deliverer. 

Reo.  14.  1  a  Lamb  stood  on  Mount  Zion. 


Sec.  28.  9  no  man  knoweth  where  the  city  shall  be  built. 

35.  24  Zion  shall  rejoice  upon  the  hills  and  flourish.  39.  13.  Sec, 
49.  25. 

38.  4  have  taken  the  Zion  of  Enoch  into  ray  own  bosom. 

42.  9  shall  be  revealed  when  the  Xew  Jerusalem  shall  be  pre- 
pared. 35,  62,  67. 

48.  4.  5  the  place  for  the  city  to  be  revealed  to  certain  men. 

57.  2  Missouri  the  place  for  the  city  of  Zion.  3, 14. 

58.  7  bearing  record  of  the  land  on  which  the  Zion  ot  God 
-hall  stand. 

59.  3  blessed  are  they  whose  feet  stand  upon  the  land  of  Zion. 

63.  24  should  assemble  themselves  together  on  the  land  of 
/ion. 

29—31  land  of  Zion  to  be  obtained  by  purchase,  or  by  blood.  36 

64,  34  the  obedient  shall  eat  the  good  of  the  land  of  Zion. 
68.  25  inasmuch  as  parents  have  children  in  Zion. 

29  the  inhabitants  of  Zion  shall  keep  the  ^Sabbath  day  holy . 
30—32. 

72.  15  every  man  tlmt  cometh  to  Zion  must  lay  all  things  be- 
fore the  bishop. 

76.  66  thesL'  are  they  who  are  come  unto  Mount  Zion. 

82.  13  Kirtland  consecrated  for  a  stake  of  Zion.  14.  Sec.  94.  1. 
Sec.  96.  1. 

&5  I  duty  of  the  Lord's  clerk  to  record  what  transpires  m  Zion. 


SPIRITUAL   GIFTS.  177 

89.  1  a  word  of  wisdom  for  the  church  and  Saints  in  Zion. 

90.  8  that  they  might  be  perfected  in  their  ministry,  for  the 
salvation  of  Zion. 

93.  53  obtain  a  knowledge  of  history,  countries,  lands,  etc.,  for 
the  salvation  of  Zion. 

97.  10  my  will  that  an  house  be  built  in  Zion,  like  the  pattern 
given. 

21  this  i^  Zion,  the  pure  in  heart.  25. 

100.  18  Zion  shall  be  redeemed,  although  she  is  chastened  for  a 
little  season. 

101.  18  the  pure  in  heart  shall  return  to  build  up  Zion.  19—21, 41. 
70—75  land  around  the  land  of  Zion  to  be  bought  with  money. 

103.  22—24. 

103.  15 — 20  the  redemption  of  Zion  must  needs  come  by  power. 

29—35  concerning  the  redemption  of  Zion,  by  gathering  to- 
gether the  strength  of  Israel. 

105.  5  Zion  must  be  built  according  to  the.  law  of  the  celestial 
kingdom. 

124.  2  Nauvoo  planted  as  a  corner  stone  of  Zion.  6.  60. 

136.  18  Zion  shall  be  redeemed  in  mine  own  due  time. 

31  Saints  to  be  tried,  that  they  may  receive  the  glory  of  Zion. 


SPIRITUAL   GIFTS. 


Tn  the  churches  established  by  our  Savior  and  hfs 
apostles,  the  Holy  Ghost  manifested  itself  in  the  de- 
velopment of  a  variety  of  gifts.  Of  so  great  import- 
ance did  the  apostle  Paul  consider  these  gifts,  to  the 
well  being  and  edification  of  the  Saints  in  Rome,  that 
he  wrote,  "  For  I  long  to  see  you,  that  I  may  impart 
unto  you  some  spiritual  gift,  to  the  end  ye  may  be  es- 
tablished;" Rom,  I.  II. 

The  inspired  writings  do  not  indicate  that  these 
gifts  were  limited  to  any  period  of  time,  or  to  any  one 
dispensation,  but  they  are  spoken  of  by  the  apostles, 
as  ever  characterizing  the  operations  of  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

In  the  twelfth  chapter  of  the  apostle  Paul's  first 
epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  we  are  assured  that  "there 

12 


178  SPIRITUAL  GIFTS. 

are  diversities  of  gifts  by  the  same  spirit;'*  verse  4. 
"  But  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  is  given  to  every 
man  to  profit  withal;"  verse  y.  From  this  we  learn 
that  the  presence  of  the  Spirit  in  a  man  is  manifested 
by  some  gift.  It  is  evident  from  the  general  tenor 
of  this  chapter,  that  these  gifts  will  always  be  mani- 
fest in  the  church  of  Christ,  for  its  members  v/ill  ever 
have  the  Holy  Ghost  abiding  in  them,  and,  where 
that  is,  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit  will  be  manifest. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  speaks  very  plainly  of  the 
necessity  of  these  gifts  in  the  church.  "Again 
1  speak  unto  you,  who  deny  the  revelations  of  God, 
and  say  that  they  are  done  away,  that  there  are  no 
revelations,  nor  prophecies,  nor  gifts,  nor  healing, 
nor  speaking  with  tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of 
tongues.  Behold  I  say  unto  you,  he  that  denieth 
these  things,  knoweth  not  the  Gospel  of  Christ;  yea, 
he  has  not  read  the  scriptures;  if  so,  he  does  not 
understand  them;"   Mormon  9.  7,  8. 

In  a  revelation  to  Joseph,  the  prophet,  given 
March  8,  1831,  the  Lord  ^ives  much  instruction  con- 
cerning spiritual  gifts;  ''For  all  have  not  every  gift 
given  unto  them;  for  there  are  many  gifts,  and  to 
every  man  is  given  a  gift  by  the  Spirit  of  God;" 
Doc,  &^  Doc.  46.  II.  the  Lord  also  adds,  "That* 
unto  some  it  may  be  given  to  have  all  these  gifts, 
♦-hat  there  may  be  a  head;"  verse  29, 


I  Cor.  1.  7  so  that  ye  iriay  come  behind  in  no  ^ft. 
7.  7  every  man  hath  his  proper  gift  of  God. 

'  12.  8  to  one  is  given  the  word  of  wisdom,  to  another  the  word 
of  knoweldge. 

9  to  another  faith,  to  another  the  gift  of  healing  by  the  same 
Spirit. 

10  to  another  the  working  of  miracles,  to  another  prophecy. 

II  but  all  worketh  that  one  and  the  self-same  Spirit. 
81  covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts. 

13.  2  though  I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy. 

14.  1  desire  spiritual  gifts,  but  rather  that  ye  may  prophecy. 
12  forasmuch  as  ye  are  zealous  of  spiritual  gifts. 

1  Peter  4^.  10  as  every  man  hath  received  the  gift,  so  minister. 


PRE-EXISTENCE.  179 

Book  o!  piormon. 

Onmil.  25  believe  in  the  gift  of  speaking  with  tongues,  and 
interpreting  tongues. 

Alma  9.  21  having  the  spirit  of  prophecy  and  revelation. 

3  Nephi  29.  6  shall  say  the  Lord  no  longer  worketh  by  prophecy, 
flor  gifts. 

Moroni  10.  9—19  an  enumeration  of  spiritual  gifts. 


Sec.  46.  10—26  an  enumeration  of  spiritual  gifts. 
27  it  is  given  to  those  ordained  to  watch  over  the  church  to 
discern  all  these  gifts.  29. 


See  A  Pamphlet  by  O,  Pratt. 


PRE-EXISTENCE    OF    SPIRITS. 


In  the  first  chapter  of  Genesis,  we  have  an  account 
of  six  days,  or  periods  of  time,  which  God  occupied 
in  the  creation  of  this  earth.  According  to  the 
traditions  of  many  centuries,  it  is  considered  by  the 
Christian  world  a  history  of  the  creation  of  this  earth, 
as  it  appears  now,  naturally  to  men  who  dwell 
upon  it. 

From  the  first  and  second  chapters  of  Genesis, 
taken  together,  this  view  of  the  subject  is  evidently 
erroneous.  In  the  first  verse  of  the  second  chapter 
we  read;  "Thus  the  heavens  and  the  earth  were 
.Qnished,  and  all  the  host  of  them."  This  creation  is 
evidently  in  a  very  unfinished  condition,  for  myriads 
of  animal  and  vegetable  life  are  coming  upon  it  anf* 
going  to  decay. 

The  sacred  writings  not  only  testify  that  it  is  in  t 


l8o  PRE-EXISTENCE. 

very  imperfect  condition,  but  that  it  must  pass  away 
and  be  changed  into  a  more  perfect  earth. 

In  the  second  and  third  verses  of  the  second 
chapter,  we  learn  that  there  was  a  period  of  time 
called  the  seventh  day,  and  that  the  Lord  sanctified 
it  as  a  day  of  rest.  It  there  has  ever  been  a  period 
of  time  in  which  this  earth,  or  its  inhabitants,  have 
had  universal  peace  and  rest,  since  the  progenitors  of 
the  race  partook  of  the  forbidden  fruit  in  the  Garden 
of  Eden,  we  have  no  account  of  it.  "  These  are  the 
generations  of  the  heavens  and  of  the  earth  when 
they  were  created,  in  the  day  that  the  Lord  God  made 
the  earth  and  the  heavens ;'"  verse  4.  This  passage 
certainly  states,  that  everything  had  been  completed 
in  the  period  of  time  stated  in  the  previous  account. 
Verse  five  very  plainly  states,  in  connection  with  the 
previous  verse,  that  every  plant  of  the  field  was  cre- 
ated, "  Before  it  was  in  the  earth,  and  every  herb  of 
the  field  before  it  grew."  During  all  this  long  period 
of  time  it  had  not  rained  upon  the  earth.  What  is 
still  more  singular,  it  says,  "And  there  was  not  a 
man  to  till  the  ground." 

This  Mosaic  history  of  the  creation  was  written 
for  men  in  their  present  temporal  condition,  and  it  is 
evident  that  these  two  verses  give  us  to  understand, 
that  these  things  had  not  taken  place  naturally  upon 
the  earth,  as  they  do  now.  As  a  sequence,  when 
they  did  take  place,  they  would  indicate  a  great 
change  in  the  condition  of  the  earth.  The  first  indi- 
cation of  this  change  is  given  in  the  sixth  verse, 
"There  went  up  a  mist  from  the  earth  and  watered 
the  whole  face  of  the  ground." 

Before  the  event  mentioned  in  the  seventh  verse, 
the  earth  must  have  been  fitted  up  for  the  abode  of 
man,  in  this  his  natural  or  temporal  condition.  "And 
the  Lord  God  formed  man  of  the  dust  of  the  ground, 
and  breathed  into  his  rnostrils  the  breath  of  life." 
That  is,  the  ground  furnished  the  elements  for  the 
growth  of  the  body  of  this  first  temporal  man,  from 
its  first  conception,  or  germ,  until  it  matured  into  per- 
fect manhood  by  a  universal  law. 

It  should  be  noticed,  that,  in  the  first  chapter, 


PRE-EXISTENCE.  l8l 

verse  ly/it  says,  "God  created  man."  That  is  he 
organized  from  the  spiritual  elements,  the  living,  act- 
ing spiritual  man.  In  the  seventh  verse  of  the 
second  chapter,  it  only  states  that  he  formed  man  out 
of  the  ground.  That  is  out  of  earthly  elements 
he  formed  a  tabernacle,  a  dwelling  place  for  the  man 
whom  he  had  before  created.  The  prophet  Joseph 
Smith,  in  his  translation  of  the  Mosaic  account  of 
creation,  fills  up  this  gap,  which  is  so  evident  in  the 
Bible  Genesis,  between  the  seventh  day  of  rest, 
and  the  formation  of  man  from  the  dust  of  the 
ground. 

"  For  I,  the  Lord  God,  created  all  things,  of  which 
I  have  spoken,  spiritually,  before  they  were  naturally 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth.  For  I,  the  Lord  God, 
had  not  caused  it  to  rain  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 
And  I,  the  Lord  God,  had  created  all  the  children  of 
men;  and  not  yet  a  man  to  till  the  ground;  for  in 
heaven  created  1  them;  and  there  was  not  yet  tiesh 
upon  the  earth;  neither  in  the  water,  neither  in  the 
air;  but  I,  the  Lord  God,  spake,  and  there  went  up  a 
mist  from  the  earth,  and  watered  the  whole  face  of 
the  ground.  And  I,  the  Lord  God,  formed  man  from 
the  dust  of  the  ground,  and  breathed  into  his  nostrils 
the  breath  of  life ;  and  man  became  a  living  soul,  the 
first  flesh  upon  the  earth,  the  first  man  also;  never- 
theless, all  things  were  before  created;  but,  spirit- 
ually, were  they  created  and  made  according  to  my 
word;"  P.  of  G.  P. page  6. 

This  account  of  the  creation,  plainly  sets  forth 
the  comprehensive  fact,  that  all  temporal  organiza- 
tions, pertaining  to  this  eartl,i,  are  animated  by 
spiritual  pre-existent  organizations.  The  following 
is  a  very  comprehensive  passage  on  this  subject: 
"  When  the  Most  High  divided  to  the  nations  their 
inheritance,  when  he  separated  the  sons  of  Adam, 
he  set  the  bounds  of  the  people  according  to  the 
number  of  the  children  of  Israel;"  Deut.  32.  8.  This 
passage  certainly  refers  to  a  very  early  period,  when 
the  heritage  of  the  nations  was  given  in  proportion 
to  the  numbers  of  Israel.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive 
bow  their  numbers  were  then  known  unless  there  was 


i82  PRE-EXISTENCE. 

a  Spiritual  Israel,  of  which  the  temporal  is  but  the 
counterpart. 

The  sacred  writings  abound  with  evidences  that 
Jesus  Christ  controlled  the  earth  and  ministered  to 
man,  as  an  organized  spiritual  intelligence  before  he 
came  in  the  flesh  in  the  meridian  of  time.  The  first 
chapter  of  John  is  very  pointed  on  this  subject: 
"In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word 
was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God;"  verse  i. 
"And  the  Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among 


Num.  16.  22  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,     Chap'Ti.  16. 

Job  12.  10  in  whose  hand  is  the  soul  of  every  living  thing. 

38.  3,  7  where  wert  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the 
earth?  who  hath  laid  the  corner  stone  thereof  when  the  morning 
stars  sang  together? 

Ik,cl.  12.  7  the  spirit  shall  return  to  God  who  gave  it. 

Jer.  1.  5  before  I  formed  thee  in  the  belly  I  knew  thee. 

John  6.  62  if  ye  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  ascend  up  where  he 
was  before. 

9.  2  who  did  sin,  this  man  or  his  parents,  that  he  was  bom 
blind? 

16.  27  and  have  believed  that  I  came  out  from  God. 
28  I  came  forth  from  the  Father.  30. 

17.  5  glorify  me  with  the  glory  I  had  with  thee  before  the  world 
was. 

Ileh  1-  6  when  he  brhigeth  the  First  Begotten  into  the  world. 
12.  9  shall  we  not  much  rather  be  subject  to  the  Father  of  our 
spirits? 

Rev.  12.  7—12  the  devil  and  his  angels  cast  out  of  heaven. 

Book  of  JEormon. 

1  Nephi  13.  33—37  many  sayings  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  concern- 
ing the  future  of  Israel,  repeated  to  Neplii  by  an  angel— 600  B.  C. 
17.  30  their  Lord,  tlieir  God,  their  Redeemer  going  before  them, 

19.  10  the  God  of  our  fathers  yielded  himself,  as  a  man,  into 
the  bands  of  wicked  men. 

20.  17  thus  saith  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One  ol 
Israel . 

21.  26  all  flesh  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  thy  Sa\dor  and 
Redeemer.  ^     .  ,   ^ 

2NephiG.  18  know  that  I,  the  Lord,  am  thy  Savior  and  Re-' 
deemer 

9.  5  it  behooveth  the  great  Creator  that  he  suffereth  himself  to 
become  subject  to  man  in  the  flesh,  that  all  men  might  be  subject 
to  him. 


PRE-EXISTENCE.  1 83 

11.  2  for  he  verily  saw  my  Redeemer,  as  1  liave  seen  him.  8. 

7  but  there  is  a  God,  and  he  is  Christ. 

25.  12  Father  of  heaven  and  earth  shall  manifest  himself  to 
them  in  the  flesh. 

Mos.  3.  5  the  Lord  omnipotent  shall  come  down  from  heaven 
among  men. 

8  he  shall  be  called  Jesus  Christ,  the  Creator  of  all  things  from 
the  beginning. 

4.  2  Jesus  Christ,  who  created  heaven  and  earth  and  all  things. 

7.  27  because  he  said  Christ  was  God,  the  Father  of  all  things. 

18.  33,  ?4  the  prophets  prophesied  that  God  should  come  down 
among  men. 

15.  1  God,  himself,  shall  come  among  men  and  redeem  his 
people, 

Ilel.  14.  12  Jesus  Christ  the  Father  of  heaven  and  earth.  Chap. 
16.  18. 

3  Nephi  1.  12—14  ihis  night  shall  the  sign  be  given,  and  on  the 
morrow  come  I  into  the  world. 

9.  15  I  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth  and  all  things. 

EtJier  2.  12  if  they  will  serve  Christ,  who  is  the  God  of  the  land. 

3.  6—20  an  account  of  a  remarkable  manifestation  of  Jesus 
Christ  as  God  the  Son,  and  the  Father,  but  still  a  personage  of 
spirit. 

12.  22  the  Lord  hath  commanded  me,  even  Jesus  Christ. 

Mottxinz  Kuh  (HuohtrtKntB, 

Sec.  10.  57  I  came  to  my  own  and  they  received  me  not. 

29.  36  the  devil,  who  was  before  Adam,  rebelled  against  Christ 

38.  1—3  Jesus  Christ  looked  on  the  wide  expanse  of  eternity,* 
and  the  hosts  of  heaven  before  the  worlds  were  made,  and  all 
things  came  by  him.  4. 

76.  13  Jesus  Christ  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father  from  the  begin- 
ning. 

24  by  him,  of  him,  through  him,  the  worlds  were  made. 

86.  9  lawful  heirs,  and  have  been  hid  from  the  world,  with 
Christ  in  God. 

93.  23  ye  were  also  in  the  beginning  with  the  Father. 

See  Sermon  by  O.  Prait,   %  of  Z).,   VoL  14.  -pa^e  2?7 
•■  "  •'    IS.     "    //r 


184  PLURALITY   OF   GODS. 


PLURALITY  OF  GODS. 


The  passages  are  numerous  in  the  inspired  writ- 
ings which  indicate  a  plurality  of  Gods.  In  the 
account  of  creation,  in  the  Book  of  Abraham,  the 
plural  Gods  is  exclusively  used;  P.  of  G.  P,  page 

33- 

The  Psalmist,  speaking  of  God,  says:  "Thou 
lovest  righteousness,  and  hatest  wickedness:  there- 
fore God,  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the 
oil  of  gladness  above  thy  fellows;"  Paslm  45.  7, 
It  is  not  possible  that  any  other  than  the  true  God 
is  here  referred  to,  for  the  God  that  was  anointed 
above  his  fellows  had  loved  righteousness  and  hated 
iniquity.  "God  standeth  in  the  congregation  of  the 
mighty;  he  judgeth  among  the  Gods;'^  82.  i.  In 
this  passage  the  number  of  Gods  among  whom  God 
judgeth  is  indefinite,  and  the  words,  "congregation 
of  the  mighty,"  indicate  that  they  might  be  quite 
numerous. 

John,  the  Evangelist,  opens  his  history  of  our 
Savior  thus;  "  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and 
the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God;" 
I.  I.  In  this  passage  we  have  an  account  of  two 
Gods,  one  of  which  dwelt  with  the  other  in  the  begin- 
ning. That  the  "Word,"  spoken  of,  is  Jesus  Christ 
is  evident  from  verse  14:  "And  the  Word  was  made 
flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us." 

"Which  in  his  times  he  shall  shew,  who  is  the 
blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  kings,  and 
Lord  of  Lords;"  i  Tim.  6.  15.  From  the  context  of 
this  passage  we  learn  that  the  kings  and  lords  here 
referred  to  were  holy  men.  Of  like  significance  is 
the  following:  "And  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests 
unto  God  and  his  Father;"  Rev.  i.  6.  That  is  to 
God  and  the  Father  of  God. 


PLURALITY   OF   GODS.  1 85 

"A  Lamb  stood  on  the  Mount  Sion,  and  with  him  an 
hundred  forty  and  four  thousand,  having  his  Father's 
name  written  in  their  foreheads;"  14.  i.  From  the 
third  verse  we  learn  that  these  were  redeemed  from 
the  earth.  Whether  this  name  of  the  Father  of  Jesus 
Christ  was  God,  or  some  other  title  indicating  his 
power  and  attributes,  is  not  revealed  to  us,  but,  what- 
ever it  was.  it  evidently  identified  those  who  re- 
ceived it  as  Gods. 

Gen.  1    26  and  God  !:fiid.  let  us  make  man  in  our  image. 
Fjzo.  15.11  who  is  like  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  amon^  the  ^ods. 
Bent.  10.  17  Lord  your  God  is  God  of  ^ods,  and  Lord  of  lords. 
Josh.  22.  22  the  lidrd  God  of  gods.    Israel  lie  shall  know. 

1  Chron.  16,  25  great  is  the  Lord;  to  l)e  feared  above  all  gods. 

2  Chron.  2.  5  for  great  is  our  God,  above  all  gods. 

Psalm  86.  8  among  the  gods,  tliere  is  none  like  unto  thee,  O 
Lord. 

1P.6.  2,  3  O  give  thanks  to  the  God  of  gods. 

1"8.  1  before  the  gods  will  I  sing  praise  unto  thee. 

Dan.  2.  11  none  can  shew  it  before  the  king,  except  the  gods. 

47  your  God  is  a  God  of  gods,  and  a  Lord  of  kings. 

4.  8  in  whom  is  the  Spirit  of  the  holy  Gods..    Chap.  5.  14. 

11.  36  and  shall  speak  marvellous  things  against  the  God  of 
gods. 

Mait.  5.  48  be  ye  perfect,  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect. 

John  5.  19  the  Son  doetli  nothing  except  what  he  seeth  the 
Father  do. 

1  Cor.  8.  5  for  though  there  be  that  are  called  gods. 

Phil.  3.  21  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious  body. 

1  Tim.  6.  15  who  is  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords. 

1  John  3.  2  when  he  shall  appear  we  shall  be  like  him. 

Pev.  3.  21  to  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  grant  to  sit  on  my 
throne. 

It.  1  with  him  144,000,  having  his  Father's  name  in  their  fore- 
heads. •    - 

17.  14  for  he  is  Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings. 

20.  4  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  that  sat  upon  them. 

21.  7  he  that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things. 


Boofe  of  ilHormon. 

Alma  12.  31  becoming  as  Gods,  knowing  good  and  evil. 
3  Npphl  27.  27  what  mnnner  of  men  ought  ye  to  be?  verily  I 
say  unto  you,  even  as  ]  am. 

28.  10  ye  shall  be  as  I  am,  and  I,  even  as  the  Father. 


lS6  G^^  ^   PERSONAGE. 

Sec.  35.  2  one  in  me,  even  as  I  am  one  in  the  Father. 

39.  4  as  many  as  received  me,  gave  I  power  to  become  my  sons. 

76.  24  worlds  were  created,  and  the  inhabitants  begotten  sons 
and  daughters  of  God. 

55 — ^59  have  received  of  his  fulness  and  glory ;  they  are  Gods. 

94,.95  know  as  they  are  known ;  and  he  makes  them  equal  in 
power  and  dominion. 

81.  35—39  receiveth  me,  receiveth  my  Father  and  his  kingdom. 
93.  20  be  glorified  in  me,  as  I  am  in  the  Father. 

121.  28  whether  there  be  one  God  or  many  Gods,  they  shall  be 
manifest. 

32  in  the  midst  of  the  council  of  the  eternal  God  of  all  other 
Gods. 

128.  23  proclaiming  in  our  ears  eternal  life,  kingdoms,  princi- 
palities and  powers. 

132,  17  and  from  henceforth  are  not  Gods,  but  angels  of  God, 
forever.  18. 

19  shall  pass  by  the  angels  and  the  Gods  which  are  set  there. 

37  entered  into  their  exaltation ;  sit  upon  thrones,  and  are  not 
angels  but  Gods. 

Hisloty  of  Joseph  Srnith,  June  id,  18^4, 


GOD   A   PERSONAGE. 


Geii.  1.  25 — 27  man  created  in  the  image  of  God, 

3.  9, 10  Adam  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord. 

4.  6  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain.  14, 

5.  1,  2  Lord  created  man  male  and  female,  in  his  own  likeness. 

6.  6  it  repented  and  grieved  the  Lord  that  he  had  made  man. 
13—21  God  talked  with  Noah.    Clui'p.  7.  1—4.    Chap.  9.  8. 

8.  1  God  remembered  Noah.  15,  21.    Chap.  9,  16. 

11.  5  the  Lord  came  down  to  see  the  city  and  the  tower.  7. 

12.  7  the  Lord  appeared  to  Abraham.  Chap.  17.  22. 
Chap,  18.  the  Lord  ate  and  talked  with  Abraham. 
28.  13  the  Lord  stood  above  the  ladder  Jacob  saw. 

32.  30  Jacob  saw  God  face  to  face.  35.  13. 
Exo.  3.  6  Moses  was  afraid  to  look  on  God. 
15.  3  the  Lord  is  a  man  of  war.  8, 16, 17. 

24.  10, 11  they  saw  God  and  did  eat  and  drink.  12. 

31.  18  the  tables  of  testimony,  written  with  the  finger  of  God. 

33.  11  the  Lord  talked  with  Moses  as  one  man  speaks  with  a 
friend. 

23  thou  shalt  see  my  back  parts,  but  not  my  face. 


THE   TRUE    AND    LIVING   GOD.  1 87 

Num..  12.  8  with  him  will  I  speak,  mouth  to  mouth. 

35.  34  for  I,  the  Lord,  dwell  amoui?  the  cliildren  of  Israel. 

Deut.  5.  15  the  Lord's  mightv  hand  and  stretched  out  arm. 

2  Sam.  22.  16  the  breath  of  his  nostrils.    Job  1.  11.     Chap.  £9.  21 

2  Chron.  16.  9  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  run  to  and  fro. 

Job  13.  8  will  ye  accept  his  person? 

Psalm  13.  1  how  long  wilt  thou  hide  thy  face? 

34.  15  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  th*.  righteous.  16. 

45.  3  gird  thy  sword  upon  thy  thigh. 

89.  13  thou  ha-st  a  mighty  arm  and  strong  is  thy  hand. 

139.  16  thine  eyes  did  see  my  substance.    Prov.  l.'i.  3. 

Isa.  30.  27  his  lips  are  full  of  indignation,  his  tongue  as  a  de- 
vouring fire. 

40.  11  he  shall  gather  his  lambs  with  his  arm. 

48.  13  mine  hand  hath  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth. 

Ezek.  1.  27  from  the  appearance  of  his  loins  upward. 

38.  18  my  fury  shall  come  up  in  my  face. 

43.  7  tlie  place  of  the  soles  of  my  feet. 

Zech.  14.  4  and  his  feet  shall  stand  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives. 

JTeb.  1.  10  the  heavens  are  the  work  of  thine  hands.  2.  7. 

Rev.  1.  14  his  head  and  his  hair  like  wool,  and  his  eyes  likv^ 
fire. 


See  Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,    y.  of  D. ,   Vol.  iS,  page  286, 
Gibson  and  Woodman  s  Discussion^  second  night. 


THE  TRUE  AND  LIVING  GOD. 

<*  There  are  two  personages  who  constitute  the 
great,  matchless,  governing,  and  supreme,  power  over 
all  things,  by  whom  all  things  were  created  and 
made,  that  are  created  and  made,  whether  visible  or 
invisible,  whether  in  heaven,  on  earth,  or  in  the 
earth,  under  the  earth,  or  throughout  the  immensity 
of  space. 

'*  They  are  the  Father  and  the  Son— the  Father 
being  a  personage  of  spirit,  glory,  and  power,  pos- 
sessing all  perfecti.'ii  and  fulness,  the  Son,  who  was 


105  THE   TRUE   AND   LIVING  GOD. 

in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  a  personage  of  taberna- 
cle, made  or  fashioned  like  unto  man,  or  being  in  the 
form  and  likeness  of  man,  or  rather  man  was  formed 
after  his  likeness  and  in  his  image ;  he  is  also  the 
express  image  and  likeness  of  the  personage  of  the 
Father,  possessing  all  the  fulness  of  the  Father,  or 
the  same  fulness  with  the  Father;  being  begotten  of 
him,  and  ordained  from  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world  to  be  a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  all  those  who 
should  believe  on  his  name,  and  is  called  the  Son  be- 
cause of  the  flesh,  and  descended  in  suffering  below 
that  which  man  can  suffer;  or,  in  other  words,  suf- 
fered greater  sufferings,  and  was  exposed  to  more 
powerful  contradictions  than  any  man  can  be. 

"  But,  notwithstanding  all  this,  he  kept  the  law  of 
God,  and  remained  without  sin,  showing  thereby  that 
it  is  in  the  power  of  man  to  keep  the  law  and  remain 
also  without  sin;  and  also,  that  by  him  a  righteous 
judgment  might  come  upon  all  flesh,  and  that  all  who 
walk  not  in  the  law  of  God  may  justly  be  condemned 
by  the  law,  and  have  no  excuse  for  their  sins. 

"And  he  being  the  Only  Begotten  of  the  Father, 
full  of  grace  and  truth,  and  having  overcome,  received 
a  fulness  of  the  glory  of  the  Father,  possessing 
the  same  mind  with  "the  Father,  which  mind  is 
the  Holy  Spirit,  that  bears  record  of  the  Father  and 
the  Son,  and  these  three  are  one;  or,  in  other  words, 
these  three  constitute  the  great,  matchless,  govern- 
ing and  supreme,  power  over  all  things;  by  whom  all 
things  were  created  and  made  that  were  created 
and  made,  and  these  three  constitute  the  Godhead, 
and  are  one;  the  Father  and  Son  possessing  the 
same  mind,  the  same  wisdom,  glory,  power,  and 
fulness — filling  all  in  all;  the  Son  being  filled  with 
the  fulness  of  the  mind,  glory,  and  power;  or, 
in  other  words,  the  Spirit,  glory  and  power,  of 
the  Father,  possessing  all  knowledge  and  glory, 
and  the  same  kingdom,  sitting  at  the  right  hand 
of  power,  in  the  express  image  and  likeness  of  the 
Father,  mediator  for  man,  being  filled  with  the  ful- 
ness of  the  mind  of  the  Father;  or,  in  other  words, 
the  Spirit  of  the  Father,  which   Spirit  is  shed  forth 


THE  TRUE   AND  LIVING  GOD.  1 89 

upon  all  who  believe  on  his  name  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments; and  all  those  who  keep  his  command- 
ments shall  grow  up  from  grace  to  grace,  and  become 
heirs  of  the  heavenly  kingdom,  and  joint  heirs  with 
Jesus  Christ;  possessing  the  same  mind,  being  trans- 
formed into  the  same  image  or  likeness,  even  the  ex- 
press image  of  him  who  fills  all  in  all;  being  filled 
with  the  fulness  of  his  glory,  and  become  one  in  him, 
even  as  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit  are  one. 

'*  From  the  foregoing  account  of  the  Godhead, 
which  is  given  in  his  revelations,  the  saints  have  a 
sure  foundation  laid  for  the  exercise  of  faith  unto  life 
and  salvation,  through  the  atonement  and  mediation 
of  Jesus  Christ;  by  whose  blood  they  have  a  forgive- 
ness of  sins,  and  also  a  sure  reward  laid  up  for  them 
in  heaven,  even  that  of  partaking  of  the  fulness  of 
the  Father  and  the  Son  through  tne  Spirit.  As  the 
Son  partakes  of  the  fulness  of  the  Father  through 
the  Spirit,  so  the  saints  are,  by  the  same  Spirit,  to  be 
partakers  of  the  same  fulness,  to  enjoy  the  same 
glory;  for  as  the  Father  and  the  Son  are  one,  so,  in 
like  manner,  the  saints  are  to  be  one  in  them.  I  hrough 
the  love  of  the  Father,  the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  they  are  to  be  heirs  of 
God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Jesus  Christ;"  Doc,  Qr^ 
Cov.,  Fifth  Lecture  on  Faith, 

"And  now  Abinadi  said  unto  them,  I  would  that 
ye  should  understand  that  God  himself  shall  come 
down  among  the  children  of-  men,  and  shall  redeem 
his  people;  and  because  he  dwelleth  in  flesh,  he  shall 
be  called  the  Son  of  God:  and  having  subjected  the 
flesh  to  the  will  of  the  Father,  being  the  Father  and 
the  Son ;  the  Father,  because  he  was  conceived  by 
the  power  of  God;  and  the  Son,  because  of  the  flesh; 
thus  becoming  the  Father  and  Son;  and  they  are  one 
God,  yea,  the  very  eternal  Father  of  heaven  and 
earth;"  Mos.  15.  i — 4. 

"And  shall  be  brought  and  be  arraigned  before  the 
bar  of  Christ  the  Son,  and  God  the  Father,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit,  which  is  one  eternal  God,  to  be  judged 
according  to  their  works;"  Alma  i\,  \/^, 

"Behold,  7.  am  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God.     I 


IgO  THE   TRUE   AND   LIVING   GOD. 

created  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  things  that 
in  them  are.  I  was  with  the  Father  from  the  begin- 
ning. I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me ;  and 
in  me  hath  the  Father  glorified  his  name:"  3  Nephi 
9.  15. 

^'And  after  this  manner  shal)  ye  baptize  in  my 
name,  for  behold,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  the 
Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  are  one; 
and  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me,  and 
the  Father  and  I  are  one;"  3  Nephi  11.  27. 

^'  I  bear  record  of  the  Father,  and  the  Father 
beareth  record  of  me,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  beareth 
record  of  the  Father  and  me.  *  *  And  whoso 
believeth  in  me,  and  is  baptized,  the  same  shall  be 
saved;  and  they  are  they  who  shall  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

^'And  whoso  believeth  not  in  me,  and  is  not  bap- 
tized, shall  be  damned.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you, 
that  this  is  my  doctrine,  and  I  bear  record  of  it  from 
the  Father;  and  whoso  believeth  in  me,  beheveth  in 
the  Father  also,  and  unto  him  will  the  Father  beai 
record  of  me;  for  he  will  visit  him  with  fire,  and  with 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

^'And  thus  will  the  Father  bear  record  of  me,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  will  bear  record  unto  him  of  the 
Father  and  me;  for  the  Father,  and  I,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  are  one ;"  verses  32 — 36. 

"  God  himself  was  once  as  we  are  now,  and  is  an 
exalted  Man,  and  sits  enthroned  in  yonder  heavens! 
That  is  the  great  secret.  If  the  vail  was  rent  to-day, 
and  the  Great  God  who  holds  this  world  in  its 
orbit,  and  who  upholds  all  worlds  and  all  things  by 
his  power,  was  to  make  himself  visible, — I  say,  if 
you  were  to  see  him  to-day,  you  would  see  him  like  a 
man  in  form — like  yourselves  in  all  the  person,  image, 
and  very  form  as  a  man ;  for  Adam  was  created  in 
the  very  fashion,  image,  and  likeness  of  God,  and 
received  instruction  from,  and  walked,  talked,  and 
conversed  with  him,  as  one  man  talks  and  communes 
with  another;"  His,  J.  Sjnith,  April  jy  1844. 


THE  TRUE  AND  LIVING  GOD.  I9I 

Bible. 

Matt.  11.  25  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  ond  earth 
26,  27. 

26.  39  take  away  this  cup  from  me.  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will, 
but  as  thou  wilt. 

Luke  10.  22  no  man  knoweth  who  the  Son  is  but  the  Father, 
and  who  the  Father  is  but  the  Son. 

23.  34  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do.  46. 

John  1.  14  the  glory  as  of  the  Only  Begotten  of  the  Faiiier.  18. 

4.  23  shall  worship  the  Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  for  the 
Father  seeketh  such  to  worship  him. 

5.  19  the  Son  can  do  nothing  of  himself,  but  what  he  seeth  the 
Father  do.  2(),  21. 

22  the  Father  judgeth  no  man,  but  hath  committed  all  judg- 
ment unto  the  Son.  23. 

26  as  the  Father  hath  life  in  himself,  so  hath  he  given  to  the 
Son. 

27  hath  given  authority  to  execute  judgment,  because  he  is  the 
Son  of  Man.  30. 

45  think  not  that  I  will  tccuse  you  unto  the  Father. 

6.  27  for  him  hath  God  the  Fatlicr  sealed. 

37  all  that  the  Father  giveth  me  shall  come  to  me.  44—46. 
8.  16  I  am  not  alone,  but  I  and  the  Father  that  sent  me.  18. 
10.  15  as  the  Father  knoweth  me,  even  so  know  I  the  Father. 

12.  27  Father  save  me  from  this  hour,  but  for  this  cause  came  I 
unto  this  hour. 

13.  1  Jesus  knew  that  he  should  depart  out  of  this  world  to  the 
Father. 

14.  6  no  man  cometh  to  the  Father  but  by  me.  8. 

9  he  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen  the  Fatlier.  11, 13, 16. 
26  but  the  Comforter  whom  the  Father  will  send. 

15.  26  when  the  Comforter  is  come,  whom  I  will  send  unto  you 
from  the  Father. 

16.  15  all  things  that  the  Father  hath  are  mine.  16,  2')— 28. 

17.  1  Father,  the  hour  is  come,  glorify  thy  Son. 

8  eternal  life  is  to  know  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  he  has  sent.  5, 11,  24,  25. 

10  all  mine  are  thine,  and  thine  are  mine. 

21  that  they  may  be  one,  as  thou.  Father,  art  in  me  and  I  in 
thee. 

22  the  glory  which  thou  gavest  me  I  have  given  them,  that 
they  may  be  one,  e/en  as  we  are  one. 

23  I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect 
in  one. 

24  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be 
witli  me  where  I  am. 

Acts  2.  33  received  of  the  Father  the  promise  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Rom.  1.  20  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made,  even 
his  eternal  power  and  Godhead. 

8.  16  the  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit. 

9.  5  Christ  came  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  forever. 

11.  36  of  him,  through  him,  and  to  him  are  all  things,  to  whom 
be  glory  forever. 

16.  27  to  God  only  wiM,  be  glory  through  Jesus  Christ  fbreyer. 


192  THE   TRUE   AND   LIVING  GOD. 

1  Cor.  2.  4  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power. 

8.  6  but  to  us  there  is  but  one  God,  the  Father. 

15.  24  when  he  shall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
eren  the  Father. 

Gal.  4.  4  when  the  fulness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth 
Ms  Son  made  of  a  woman. 

Eph.  3.  11  to  the  eternal  purpose  which  he  purposed  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

4.  6  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all. 

Col.  1.  19  for  it  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him  should  all  ful- 
ness dwell. 

2.  9  in  him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead,  bodily. 
Heb.  1.  8  to  the  Son  he  saith,  thy  throne,  O  God,  is  forever. 

5.  9  being  made  perfect  he  became  the  author  of  eternal  sal- 
vation. 

7.  28  maketh  the  Son  who  is  consecrated  forevermore. 

9.  14  who,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered  himself  without 
spot  to  God. 

12.  9  be  in  subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits  and  live. 

13.  8  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever. 

2  Peter  1.  17  for  he  received  from  God  the  Father,  honor  and 
gloiy.  , 

1  John  2.  1  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ 
the  righteous.  23,  24. 

5.  7  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father,  Son 
and  Holy  Ghost. 

Rev.  1.  18  he  that  liveth  and  was  dead,  and  am  alive  forever 
more. 

2.  7  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches. 

5.  13  unto  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for 
ever. 

10.  6  sware  by  him  that  liveth  forever,  that  time  shall  be  no 
longer. 

11.  15  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

15.  7  full  of  the  wrath  of  God  who  liveth  forever. 

Book  of  ^Tormou. 

1  Nephi  10.  18  for  lie  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever. 
19  wherefore  the  course  of  God  is  one  eternal  round. 

11,  21  behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  the  Son  of  the  eternal  Father. 
Chap.  13.  40. 

32  the  Son  of  the  everlasting  God  was  judged  of  the  world. 

2  Nephi  2.  4  for  the  Spirit  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  for 
ever. 

9.  16  it  is  his  eternal  word  which  cannot  pass  away. 

10.  14  I  will  be  a  lighr  to  them  forever,  that  hear  my  words. 
27.  23  that  I  am  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.  29.  9. 
Mos.  3.  5  is  from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity. 

15.  4  yea,  the  very  eternal  Father  of  heaven  and  earth. 

16.  9  the  light  and  life  of  the  world,  yea,  a  light  that  is  endless. 
Alma  7.  16  he  shall  have  eternal  life,  according  to  the  testimonj 

ot  the  Holy  Spirit. 

11.  39  he  is  the  very  eternal  Father  of  heaven  and  earth.  40. 
44  Christ,  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  eternal  God. 


THE   TRUE   AND  LIVING  GOD.  193 

13.  9  Only  Begotten  of  the  Father,  without  beginning  of  days 
or  end  of  years. 

31.  14  the  great,  last,  infinite  and  eternal  sacrifice  will  be  the 
Son  of  God. 

3  Nephl  9.  18  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end. 

Mormon  6.  22  the  Father,  yea,  the  eternal  Father  of  heaven  and 
earth. 

Moroni  7.  22  God  knowing  all  things,  being  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting.  28. 

8.  18  he  is  unchangeable  from  all  eternity  to  all  eterniiy. 

10.  4  exhort  you  that  you  would  ask  God,  the  eternal  Father.  28. 

©ottrin£  aitlJ  Cfibiitanls. 

Sec.  14.  9  Jesus  Christ  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth. 

19.  1  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end. 

20.  17  we  know  there  is  a  God,  infinite  and  eternal,  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting.  28. 

29.  34  neither  Adam,  your  father,  whom  I  created, 

41  the  Lord  God  east  Adam  out  of  the  Garden  of  Eden. 

35.  1,  2  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end. 

39.  1  the  voice  of  him  who  is  from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity. 

45.  1  by  whom  all  things  live,  and  move,  and  have  a  being.  7. 

49.  12  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  beginning  and  the  end. 

56.  11  though  heaven  and  earth  pass  away,  these  words  shall 
not  pass  away. 

68  6  Son  of  the  living  God.  That  I  was,  that  I  am,  and  that 
1  am  to  come. 

88.  13  who  is  in  the  bosom  of  eternity,  in  the  midst  of  all 
thing-;. 

41  all  things  are  by  him  and  of  him,  even  God  for  ever  aiid 
ever. 

121.  32  according  to  that  which  was  ordained,  in  the  council 
of  the  eternal  God. 

182.  20  then  shall  they  be  gods,  because  they  have  no  end.  22. 

24  this  is  eternal  life,  to  know  the  only  wise  and  true  God. 

See  Ser??ion  by  B.   Young,  J,  of  D.,  Vol.  7,  page  46, 

*'  **   B.    Young,  "  **■/»*'     2IS» 

Article  MIL  Star^   Vol.  /j,  page  joi. 


194  ORDlNAIsCES,   ETC.,  ETERNAL, 


ORDINANCES,  COVENANTS,  ETC., 
ETERNAL. 


Gen.  21.  33  Abraham  called  on  the  name  of  the  everlasting 
God.    Isa.  40.  28.    Rom.  IG.  26. 

Exo.  3.  15  this  is  my  name  forever  and  my  memorial  to  all  gen- 
erations. 

12.  14  Israel  to  keep  the  feast  of  Passover  by  an  ordinance  for- 
ever. 24. 

27.  21  it  shall  be  a  statute  forever  to  Israel. 

31.  16, 17  the  Sabbath  a  perpetual  covenant  and  sign  between 
the  Lord  and  Israel  forever. 

Num.  10.  8  an  ordinance  forever  throughout  your  generations. 

1  Sam.  3.  14  the  iniquity  of  Eli's  house  shall  hot  be  purged  for 
ever. 

2  Sam.  7.  24  hast  confirmed  Israel  to  be  a  people  to  thee  for 
ever. 

1  Chron.  17.  14  David's  throne  established  for  evermore. 

23.  13  Aaron  and  his  sons  sanctified  forever. 

2  Chron.  33.  4  in  Jerusalem  shall  my  name  be  forever. 
Psalm  19.  9  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring  forever. 

24.  7  lift  up,  ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  glory  shall 
come  in. 

33.  11  the  counsel  of  the  Lord  standeth  forever. 

45.  6  thy  throne,  O  God,  is  forever  and  ever.  17. 

72.  19  blessed  be  his  glorious  name  forever,  let  the  earth  be 
filled  with  his  glory. 

100.  5  his  mercy  is  everlasting  and  his  truth  endureth. 

119.  89  forever,  O  Lord,  thy  word  is  settled  in  heaven, 

145.  13  thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom. 

Ecd.  3.  14  what  God  doeth  it  shall  be  forever;  nothing  can  be 
put  to  it  or  taken  taken  from  it. 

1'^  that  which  hath  been  is  now;  that  which  is  hatli  already 
been. 

isa.  9.  6  a  child  is  born,  he  shall  be  called  the  everlasting 
■P'ather. 

32.  17  and  the  effect  of  his  righteousness  quietness  and  assur- 
ance forever. 

33.  14  who  among  us  shall  dwell  in  everlasting  burnings. 
Ezek.  37.  26  make  a  covenant  of  peace  with  them  it  shall  be  an 

everlasting  covenant. 

Dan.  7.  14  his  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion, 

18  the  Saints  shall  take  and  possess  the  kingdom  forever. 


ORDINANCES,   ETC.,  ETERNAL.  1 95 

12.  3  tliey  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the 
stars  forever. 

}fatt.  19.  16  Master,  what  good  thing  shall  I  do  that  I  may  in- 
herit eternal  life. 

lAike  10.  9  make  friends  with  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness, 
that  when  you  fail  they  may  receive  you  into  everlasting  habita- 
tion'«. 

18.  ot)  manifold  more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the  world  to 
come  life  everlasting. 

John  o.  15  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  eternal  life. 

4.  14  the  water  I  give  him  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water 
springing  up  into  everlasting  life.   oG. 

5.  24  he  that  believeth  on  him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting 
life, 

"9  search  the  scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal 
liie. 

6.  68  to  whom  shall  we  go  ?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal 
life. 

10.  28  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life  and  they  shall  never  perish. 

12.  25  he  that  hateth  his  life  in  this  world  shall  keep  it  unto 
life  eternal. 

17.  2  that  he  should  give  eternal  life  to  as  many  as  thou  hast 
given  him.  • 

3  li  fo  eternal  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
Wliom  thou  hast  sent. 

Acts  13.  48  as  many  as  were  ordained  to  eternal  life  believed. 

Rom.  1.  20  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made,  even 
his  eternal  power  and  Godhead. 

2.  7  by  patient  continuance  in  well  doing  seek  for  immortality 
and  eternal  life. 

5.  21  might  grace  reign  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life. 

G.  23  the  wages  of  sin  are  death;  but  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal 
life. 

11.  S6  for  of  him.  and  through  him,  and  to  him,  are  all  things. 

2  Cor.  4.  17  our  light  affliction  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  ex- 
ceeding and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

5.  1  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 
Gal.  1.  5  to  wliom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever. 

6.  8  he  that  soweth  to  the  Spirit,  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life 
everlasting. 

Eph.  o.  11  according  to  the  eternal  purpose  which  lie  purposed 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

2  Thess.l.  9  who  shall  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruc-. 
tion . 

1  Tim.  6.  12  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal 
life. 

Titus  ^.  2  in  hope  of  eternal  life,  which  God  promised  before 
the  world  be.u:an. 

Hch.  5.  9  being  made  perfect  he  l^ecame  the  author  of  eternal 
salvation,  unto  all  them  that  obey  him. 

9.  14  wlio,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered  himself  witliout 
spot  to  Ood. 

1  Peter  1.  23  born  again  by  the  word  of  God,  which  abideth 
forever. 

5.  10  who  hath  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory  by  Christ  Jesus. 


196 


ORDINANCES,   ETC.,  ETERNAL. 


2  Peter  2.  17  to  whom  the  mist  of  darkness  is  reserved  forever. 

1  John  1.  2  shew  unto  you  that  eternal  life  which  was  with  the 
Father. 

2.  25  this  is  the  promise  he  hath  promised  us,  even  eternal  life. 

3.  15  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life  abiding  in  him. 

5.  11  this  is  the  record  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life, 
and  this  life  is  in  his  Son.  13,  20. 

2  John  2.  for  the  truth's  sake,  which  dwelleth  in  us,  and  shall 
be  with  us  forever. 

JudelV.  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto 
eternal  life. 

Rev.  7.  12  honor,  power  and  might  be  unto  our  God  forever. 

10.  6  sware  by  him  that  liveth  forever  that  time  shall  be  no 
longer. 

22.  5  for  the  LfOrd  God  giveth  them  light,  and  they  shall  reign 
forever. 

Book  of  jaormon. 

1  Nephi  10.  19  wherefore  the  course  of  God  is  one  eternal  round. 

11.  21  the  Lamb  of  God  even  the  Son  of  the  eternal  Father. 
32  the  Son  of  the  everlasting  God  was  judged  of  the  world. 

2  Nephi  1.  19  his  ways  are  righteousness  for  ever. 

2.  4  for  the  Spirit  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever. 

12  must  needs  destroy  the  wisdom  and' eternal  purposes  of  God. 

9.  13  all  men  became  incorruptible,  immortal,  living  souls. 

16  it  is  his  eternal  word  and  cannot  pass  away. 

89  to  be  spiritual  minded  is  life  eternal. 

IL  5  the  great  and  eternal  plan  of  deliverance  from  death. 

Jncoh  2.  21  created  them  to  keep  his  commandments  and  glo- 
pifyy him  forever. 
Mos.  5.  15  ye  may  have  everlasting  salvation  and  eternal  life. 

16.  11  if  good  to  the  resurrection  of  endless  life ;  if  evil  to  the 
resurrection  of  endless  damnation. 

Alma.  34.  14  the  great,  last,  infinite  and  eternal  sacrifice  will  be 
the  Son  of  God. 

Mormon  5.  14  may  bring  about  his  great  and  eternal  purposes 


©oitriitt  jtTtti  CobtiianlK. 

Sec.  1.  15  have  broken  mine  everlasting  covenant. 

6.  7  he  that  hath  eternal  life  is  rich.  11.  7. 

14.  7  eternal  life  the  greatest  of  all  the  gifts  ol  God. 

20.  28  which  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are  one  God,  infinite 
and  eternal. 

22.  1  this  is  a  new  and  everlasting  covenant,  which  was  from 
the  beginning. 

39.  1  the  voice  of  him  who  is  from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity. 

45.  8  to  them  that  believed  on  \ny  name  gave  I  power  to  ob- 
tain eternal  life. 

56.  11  though  heaven  and  earth  pass  away,  these  words  shall 
not  pass  away. 

7b.  4  from  eternity  to  eternity  he  is  the  same. 


ORDINANCES,   ETC.,  ETERNAL.  I97 

69  all  things  are  theirs,  whether  life  or  death,  things  present  or 
to  come. 

62  shall  dwell  in  the  presence  ot  God  and  his  Christ  forever. 

109.  77  1  the  earth  in  its  sanctified,  immortal  and  eternal  state. 

85.  7  whose  mouth  shall  utter  words,  eternal  words. 

88. 13  who  is  in  the  bosom  of  eternity  in  the  midst  of  all  things. 

20  that  bodies  of  the  celestial  kingdom  may  possess  it  forever. 

41  all  things  are  by  him  and  of  him,  even  God,  forever. 

101.  22  and  worship  me  according  to  mine  everlasting  Gospel. 

77  an  infinitv  of  fulness  from  everlasting  to  everlasting. 

121.  2  behold  from  the  eternal  heavens  the  wrongs  of  thy 
people. 

32  according  to  that  which  was  ordained  In  the  council  of  the 
eternal  God. 

128.  23  let  the  eternal  creations  declare  his  name  forever. 

132.  19  there  shall  be  a  continuation  of  the  seeds  for  ever. 

20  then  ^all  they  be  gods,  because  they  have  no  end. 

24  this  is  eternal  lives  to  know  the  only  wise  and  true  God. 

46  whosesoever  sins  ye  remit  shall  be  remitted  eternally. 

^earl  of  (Kreat  ^xitt. 

Page  I.  Endless  is  my  name.  My  works  and  words  are  with- 
out end.  3. 

9.  repent  and  call  upon  God  in  the  name  of  the  Son  forever- 
more, 

16.  and  enjoy  the  words  of  eternal  life  in  this  world  and  eter- 
nal life  in  the  world  to  come. 

17.  the  record  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  from  henceforth  and 
forever. 

19.  seeing  thou  art  holy  from  all  eternity  to  all  eternity,  endless 
and  eternal  is  my  name  also. 

20.  Enoch  wept  and  stretched  forth  his  arms,  and  his  heart 
swelled  as  wide  as  eternity. 

29.  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel  of  salvation,  even  of  life  eternal. 
82.  they  shall  have  no  end  for  they  are  gnolaum,  or  eternal. 
49.  the  angel  said  the  fulness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  was 
contained  in  the  records  of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 


IqS  PASSOVER   OK    SACKAMENT, 


PASSOVER  OR    SACRAMENT. 


"This  word  (passovei')  comes  from  the  Hebrew 
verb,  pasach,  which  signifies  to  pass,  to  leap,  or  skip 
over.  They  gave  the  name  of  Passover  to  the  feast 
which  was  estabhshed  in  commemoration  of  the  com- 
ing forth  out  of  Egypt,  because  the  night  before  their 
departure,  the  destroying  angel,  who  slew  the  first- 
born of  the  Egyptians,  passed  over  the  Israelites,  be- 
cause they  were  marked  with  the  blood  of  the  lamb 
which  was  killed  the  evening  before;  and  which  for 
this  reason  was  called  the  Paschal  Lamb;"  Cruden's 
Con, 

We  have  an  account  of  the  institution  of  the 
Passover  in  the  twelth  chapter  of  Exodus.  The 
Lord  commanded  Israel,  saying,  "And  the  day  shall 
be  unto  you  for  a  memorial;  and  ye  shall  keep  it  a 
feast  to  the  Lord  throughout  your  generations;  ye 
shall  keep  it  a  feast  by  an  ordinance  for  ever:"  verse 
14.  This  command  rather  implies  that  there  might 
be  a  change  in  the  manner  and  time  of  keeping  this 
passover.  by  the  house  of  Israel.  The  essential 
part  of  it  is  that  it  shall  be  kept  by  a  feast  forever. 

That  the  passover,  as  instituted  the  evening  be- 
fore the  departure  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt,  was  typical 
of  the  sacrifice  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  appears  to  be 
the  generally  received  opinion  of  all  who  have  faith  in 
the  Bible  and  its  institutions.  It  is  evident  that  the 
apostle  Paul  entertained  this  view  of  the  subject 
when  he  made  the  following  assertion,  "  For  even 
Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us;"  i  Cor,  5.  7. 

That  our  Savior  considered  the  ordinance  of  the 
passover  a  part  of  the  Mosaic  law  which  was  to  be 
done  away  in  his  sufferings  and  death,  is  evident 
from  the  wish,  which  he  expressed  to  his  disciples, 
while  keepingr  the  passover  with  them  the  evening 


PASSOVER,    OR    SACRAMENT.  I9«9 

before  his  death,  **  With  desire  I  have  desired  to  eat 
this  passover  with  you  before  I  suffer;"  Luke  22.  15. 
The  type  was  no  longer  needed  and  the  ordinance 
was  changed  to  commemorate  the  ^reat  sacrifice  he  was 
about  to  make.  Hence,  he  commanded  his  disciples 
to  partake  of  the  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance 
of  him. 

We  cannot  do  better  than  to  insert  here,  verbatim^ 
the  account  of  the  first  administration  of  tlie  sacra- 
ment among  the  Nephites,  by  our  Savior.  "And  it 
came  to  pass  that  Jesus  commanded  his  disciples  that 
they  should  bring  forth  some  bread  and  wine  unto 
him.  And  while  they  were  gone  for  bread  and  wine, 
he  commanded  the  multitude  that  they  should  sit 
themselves  down  upon  the  earth." 

"And  when  the  disciples  had  come  with  bread 
and  wine,  he  took  of  the  bread,  and  brake  and 
blessed  it;  and  he  gave  unto  the  disciples,  and  com- 
manded that  they  should  eat.  And  when  they  had 
eat,  and  were  filled,  he  commanded  that  they  should 
give  unto  the  multitude.  And  when  the  multitude  had 
eaten  and  were  filled,  he  said  unto  the  disciples,  be- 
hold there  shall  one  be  ordained  among  you,  and  to 
him  will  I  give  power  that  he  shall  break  bread,  and 
bless  it,  and  give  it  unto  the  people  of  my  church, 
unto  all  those  who  shall  believe  and  be  baptized  in 
my  name. 

"And  this  shall  ye  always  observe  to  do,  even  as  I 
have  done,  even  as  I  have  broken  bread,  and  blessed 
it,  and  gave  it  unto  you.  And  this  shall  ye  do  in  re- 
membrance of  my  body,  which  I  have  shewn  unto 
you.  And  it  shall  be  a  testimony  unto  the  Father, 
that  ye  do  always  remember  me.  And  if  ye  do  al- 
ways remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my  Spirit  to  be 
with  you. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  said  these 
words,  he  commanded  his  disciples  that  they  should 
take  of  the  wine  of  the  cup,  and  drink  of  it,  and  that 
they  should  also  give  unto  the  multitude,  that  they 
might  drink  of  it.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  they  did 
so,  and  did  drink  of  it,  and  were  filled;  and  they  gave 
unto  the  multitude,  and  they  did  drink,  and  they  were 


20D  PASSOVER  OR   SACRAMENT. 

filled.  And  when  the  disciples  had  done  this  Jesus 
said  unto  them,  Blessed  are  ye  tor  this  thing  which 
ye  have  done,  for  this  is  fulfilling  my  commandment, 
and  this  doth  witness  unto  the  Father  that  ye  are 
willing  to  do  that  which  I  have  commanded  you.  And 
this  shall  ye  always  do  to  those  who  repent  and  are 
baptized  in  my  name ;  and  ye  shall  do  it  in  remem- 
brance of  my  blood,  which  1  have  shed  for  you,  that 
ye  may  witness  unto  the  Father  that  ye  do  always  re- 
member me.  And  if  ye  do  always  remember  me,  ye 
shall  have  my  Spirit  to  be  with  you.  And  I  give  unto 
you  a  commandment  that  ye  shall  do  these  things. 
And  if  ye  shall  always  do  these  things,  blessed  are 
ye,  for  ye  are  built  upon  my  rock;''  -^  Nephi  i8. 
I — 12. 


Lev.  23.  5  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  first  month  is  the  Lord's 
passover. 

Num.  9.  5  they  kept  the  passover  at  even.    Josh.  5.  10. 

33.  3  on  the  morrow  after  the  passover  Israel  went  out  of 
Egypt. 

Deid.  16.  2  place  the  Lord  should  choose,  Israel  was  to  sacrifice 
the  passover.  5. 

2  Kings  23.  22  not  holden  such  a  passover  from  the  days  of  the 
Judges. 

2  Chron.  35.  1—19  a  description  of  the  solemn  passover  of  Jo- 
siah. 

E^a  6.  19,  20  the  children  of  the  captivity  kept  the  passover. 

Ezek.  45.  21  ye  shS,ll  have  the  passover,  a  feast  of  seven  days. 

3fatt.  26.  17—29  Christ  kept  the  passover,  with  his  disciples,  the 
evening  before  his  death.    3Iark  14.  12—25.    Luke  22.  8—38. 

Luke  24.  30,  31  Christ  made  himself  known  to  his  disciples  by 
the  breaking  of  bread. 

John  2.  13  and  the  Jews'  passover  was  at  hand. 

6.  53—58  he  that  eateth  the  flesh  and  drinketh  the  blood  of 
Christ  hath  eternal  life. 

11.  55  many  went  to  Jerusalem,  before  the  passover,  to  purify 
themselves. 

18.  39  have  a  custom  that  I  should  release  one  unto  you,  at 
the  passover. 

19.  14  and  it  was  the  preparation  of  the  passover. 

Acts  2.  46  they  continued  daily  in  breaking  bread.  20,  7. 
1  Cor.  11.  23—30  the  same  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed  took 
bread.  . 

Heb.  11.  28  through  faith  he  kept  the  passover. 


MILLENNIAL  REIGN.  201 

Boofe  of  iHormon. 

o  Nephi  18.  27—30  none  to  eat  and  drink  unworthily. 
20.  1—9  Jesus  administered  tJbie  sacrament,  the  second  time, 
among  the  Nephites. 

Moroni  4.  5  tlie  manner  of  administering  the  sacrament. 
6.  6  did  meet  together  oft  to  partake  of  bread  and  wine. 

©octrint  aniJ  CobtitantjEf. 

Sec.  20.  75  expedient  that  the  church  meet  together  oft,  to  par- 
take of  bread  and  wine. 

77 — 79  the  form  of  administering  the  sacrament. 

27.  2  it  matters  not  what  we  cat  and  drink  in  the  sacrament. 

46.  4  those  who  have  trespassed  to  make  reconciliation. 

See  Sermon  by  Jos,  F.  Smith,  y.  of  D.,  Vol.  15,  page  j 24, 
Article  by  J.  G,  B,,  Mil.  Star,  Vol.  34,  page  520, 


MILLENNIAL  REIGN. 


The  inspired  writings  teach  us  that,  at  the  second 
coming  of  Christ,  his  reign  of  a  thousand  years,  on 
the  earth,  will  commence.  A  veritable  kingdom  of 
the  house  of  Israel  will  have  been  prepared  to  re- 
ceive him. 

"The  Son  of  man  shall  come  down  in  heaven, 
clothed  in  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  to  meet  tho 
kingdom  of  God  which  is  set  up  on  the  earth ;"  Doc. 
Sr*  Cov.  65.  5.  The*kingdom  of  God  in  heaven  and 
on  the  earth  will  then  unite  and  constitute  but  one 
kingdom.  "The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  be- 
come the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ; 
and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever;"  Rev.  11,  15. 

Those  that  have  part  in  the  first  resurrection, 
"Shall  be  priests  of  God  and  of  Christ,  and  shall 
reign  with  him  a  thousand  years;''  20.  6. 


202  MILLENNIAL    REIGN. 

The  earth  will  go  through  a  purifying  process  to 
fit  it  for  the  residence  of  its  millennial  inhabitants. 
"  Behold,  I  create  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth:  and 
the  former  shall  not  be  remembered;''  Isa.  65.  17. 
That  this  passage  refers  to  the  preparation  for  the 
millennium  is  evident  by  the  twentieth  verse:  *^  There 
shall  be  no  more  thence  an  infant  of  days,  nor  an  old 
man  that  hath  not  filled  his  days:  for  the  child  shall 
die  a  hundred  years  old ;  but  the  sinner  bein^  a 
hundred  years  old  shall  be  accursed." 

This  view  of  the  subject  is  also  presented  to  us 
in  a  revelation  to  Joseph,  the  Seer:  '•'  Old  things 
shall  pass  away,  and  all  things  become  new. 
*  ■:;:-  «•  And  he  that  liveth  when  the  Lord  shall 
come,  and  has  kept  the  faith,  blessed  is  he;  neverthe- 
less it  is  appointed  to  him  to  die  at  the  age  of  man; 
wherefore  children  shall  grow  up  until  they  become 
old,  old  men  shall  die;"  Doc,  &^  Cov.  63.  49 — 51. 

There  are  three  conditions  of  the  earth  spoken  of 
in  the  inspired  writings — the  present,  in  which  every- 
thing pertaining  to  it  must  go  through  a  change 
which  we  call  death;  the  millennial  condition  in 
which  it  will  be  sanctified  for  the  residence  of  purer 
intelligences,  some  mortal  and  some  immortal,  and 
the  celestial  condition  spoken  of  in  the  twenty-first 
and  twenty-second  chapters  of  Revelation,  which 
will  be  one  of  immortality  and  eternal  life. 

When  Christ's  reign  is  fully  established  on  the 
earth,  there  will  be  two  capitals  to  his  immense  em- 
pire— Jerusalem  on  the  eastern  hemisphere  and  Zion 
on  the  western.  '*When  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall 
reign  in  Mount  Zion,  and  in  Jerusalem;"  Isa.  24.  23. 
"For  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the  word 
of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem;"  3.  3.  , 

In  this,  ''The  fulness  of  times  when  Christ  shall 
have  subdued  all  enemies  under  his  feet,  and  shall 
have  perfected  his  work,  when  he  shall  deliver  up  the 
kingdom,  and  present  it  to  the  Father  spotless, 
then  shall  he  be  crowned  with  the  crown  of  his  glory, 
to  sit  on  the  throne  of  his  power  to  reign  forever 
and  ever;"  Doc.  &^  Cov.^  j6.  106 — 108. 

The  prophet  Daniel  speaks  of  this  ereat  event: 


MILLENNIAL    REIGN.  203 

"I  saw  in  the  night  visions,  and,  behold,  one  like  the 
Son  of  Man  came  with  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and 
came  to  the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they  brought  him 
near  before  him.  And  there  was  given  him  dominion, 
and  glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations, 
and  languages,  should  serve  him:  his  dominion  is  an 
everlasting  dominion,  which  shall  not  pass  away,  and 
his  kingdom /^«/ which  shall  not  be  destroyed;"  7. 
13,  14.  This  passage  evidences  that  Christ's  reign 
on  the  earth  will  be  real  and  tangible;  and  that  his 
kingdom  v^^ill  embrace  a  great  variety  of  nations  and 
peoples,  and  that  he  is  also  subservient  to  tiis 
Father. 

The  following  passage,  with  its  context,  is  a  beau 
tiful  description  of  the  final  coming  of  our  Lord,  and 
of  his  reign  on  the  earth: 

"That  my  people  may  gird  up  their  loins,  andbe 
looking  forth  for  the  time  of  my  coming;  for  there 
shall  be  my  Tabernacle,  and  it  shall  be  called  ZiON, 
a  New  Jerusalem.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Enoch, 
Then  shalt  thou  and  all  thy  city  meet  them  there 
and  we  will  receive  them  into  our  bosom,  and  thev 
shall  see  us;  and  we  will  fall  upon  their  necks,  and 
they  shall  fall  upon  our  necks,  and  we  will  kiss  each 
other;  and  there  shall  be  mine  abode,  and  it  shall  be 
Zion,  which  shall  come  forth  out  of  all  the  creations 
which  I  have  made ;  and  for  the  space  of  a  thousand 
years  shall  the  earth  rest. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  Enoch  saw  the  day  of 
the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man,  in  the  last  days,  to 
dwell  on  the  earth  in  righteousness  for  the  space  of  a 
thousand  years;"  P,  of  G,  P.^  page  22. 


iSiMe. 

Im.  52.  7  that  saith  unto  Zion,  thy  God  reigneth, 
Jer.  23.  5  a  king  shall  reign  and  shall  execute  justice  and  judg- 
ment. 6. 

Mic.  4.  7  the  Lord  shall  reign  over  them  in  Zion  forever. 
Jjuke  1,  33  and  he  shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Israel  forever. 
Rom.  15.  12  he  that  shall  rise  to  reign  over  the  Gentiles. 
1  Or.  15.  25  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies  under  his  feet. 
''      2  Tim*  2.  12  if  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign  with  him. 


204  DESTRUCTION   OF   THE   WICKED. 

Bev.  5.  10  made  us  kings  and  priests,  and  we  shall  reign  on  the 
earth. 

20.  4  they  lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand  years. 

21.  22,  27  description  of  the  celestial  earth. 

See.  1.  ^6  the  Lord  shall  reign  in  tTie  midst  of  his  Saints. 

29.  11  and  dwell  in  righteousness  with  men  on  the  earth  a 
thousand  years. 

43.  30  for  the  great  Millennium  of  which  I  have  spoken  shall 
come. 

45.  59  the  Lord  shall  he  their  king  and  lawgiver. 

56.  18  shall  see  the  kingdom  of  God  come  in  power  and  great 
glory. 

58.  22  until  he  reigns  whose  right  it  is  to  rule. 

133.  25  the  Savior  shall  reign  over  all  flesh. 


S^e  Sermon  by  B.   Young,  y.  of  Z).,   Vol .  7,  f)a^e  rg?. 
'*   O.  Pratt,  "  ''     i6,    <•    J 12. 

i(  i,  „  ,,       ..       ..    y^^^ 

Arffrl':  MIL  Star,    Vol.  r,  pao-es  4  and  yj. 

'•      by  O,  Pratt,  Mil,  Sl:r,   Vol.  28,  page  561. 


DESTRUCTION  OF   THE   WICKED. 


Passages  are  numerous  in  the  inspired  writings 
which  assert  that  the  wicked  shall  be  destroyed.  The 
prophet  Isaiah,  speaking  of  the  latter  times,  says, 
"  Zion  shall  be  redeemed  with  judgment,  and  her 
converts  with  righteousness.  And  the  destruction 
of  the  transgressors  and  of  the  sinners  shall  be  to- 
gether, and  they  that  forsake  the  Lord  shall  be  con- 
sumed;" I.  27,' 28. 

The  Lord  further  declared  through  the  same 
prophet,  that,  because  the   inhabitants  of  the  earth 


DESTRUCTION   OF   THE   WICKED.  205 

had  defiled  it,  the  curse  had  devoured  it;  "And  they 
that  dwell  therein  are  desolate;"  24.  5,  6.  ''For, 
behold,  the  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place  to  punish 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  their  iniquity;"  26.  21. 
Many  ot  the  sayings  concerning  the  destruction 
of  the  wicked  are  general  in  their  application,  to  all 
times  in  which  wickedness  is  prevalent.  But  there 
are  many  passages  in  the  inspired  writings  which 
point  to  the  latter  times  for  a  general  destruction  of 
the  ungodly,  and  the  cleansing  of  the  earth  from 
wickedness. 

The  following  from  Isaiah  are  of  this  character. 
'^For  the  indignation  of  the  Lord  is  upon  all  nations, 
and  his  fury  upon  all  their  armies.  *  *  For  it  is  the 
day  of  the  Lord's  vengeance,  and  the  year  of  recom- 
pense for  the  controversy  of  Zion;"  34.  2 — 8. 

'*  For  by  fire  and  by  his  sword  will  the  Lord  plead 
with  all  flesh:  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
many;"  66.   16. 

The  Book  of  Doc,  &^  Cov.  being  a  record  of  reve- 
lations concerning  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of 
times,  it  says  much  concerning  the  destruction  of  the 
wicked,  and  the  redemption  of  man,  and  of  the  earth. 
It  is  evident  that  the  visions  of  the  prophet 
Joseph  were  vivid  and  well  defined  oh  this  subject, 
for  the  Lord  said  through  him,  *'The  hour  is  nigh, 
and  the  day  soon  at  hand  when  the  earth  is  ripe:  and 
all  the  proud,  and  they  that  do  wickedly,  shall  be  as 
stubble,  and  1  will  burn  them  up,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  that  wickedness  shall  not  be  upon  the  earth;" 
29.  9,  14 — 21.     Sec.  64.  24. 

The  records  of  the  times  are  a  daily  testimony  of 
the  fulfilment  of  the  following:  ''And  in  that  day 
shall  be  heard  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,  and  the 
whole  earth  shall  be  in  commotion,  and  men's  hearts 
shall  fail  them;"  sec.  4^.  26.  And  men  shall  be 
standing  in  that  generation  in  which  these  things 
shall  appear,  ''That  shall  not  pass,  until  they  shall  see 
an  overflowing  scourge ;  for  a  desolating  sickness  shall 
cover  the  land;"  verse  31. 

*'Among  the  wicked,  men  shall  lift  up  their  voices, 
and  curse  God  and  die.     And  there  shall  be  earth- 


206  .     DESTRUCTION   OF    THE   WICKED. 

quakes  also  in  divers  places,  and  many  desolations; 
yet  men  will  harden  their  hearts  against  me,  and  they 
will  take  up  the  sword,  one  against  another,  and  they 
will  kill  one  another;"  verses  32,  34. 
-  The  testimony  of  the  elders  is  the  great  prepara- 
tory work  for  the  destruction  of  the  wicked  in  this 
dispensation.  Their  labors  are  *^To  bind  up  the  law 
and  seal  up  the  testimony,  and  to  prepare  the  saints 
for  the  hour  of  judgment  which  is  to  come;"  sec.  88. 
84.  And,  after  iheir  testimony,  "cometh  wrath  and 
indignation  upon  the  people;"  verse  88. 

The  testimonies  that  will  follow  the  testimony  of 
the  elders  are  fearful  to  contemplate:  "For  after  your 
testimony  cometh  the  testimony  of  earthquakes,  that 
shall  cause  groanings  in  the  midst  of  her  (the  earth), 
and  men  shall  fall  to  the  ground,  and  shall  not  be  able 
to  stand.  And  also  cometh  the  testimony  of  the  voice 
of  thunderings,  and  the  voice  of  lightnings,  and  the 
voice  of  tempests,  and  the  voice  of  the  waves  of  the  . 
sea,  heaving  themselves  beyond  their  bounds.  And  all 
things  shall  be  in  commotion;  and  surely  men's  hearts 
shall  fail  them;  for  fear  shall  come  upon  all  people;" 
sec.  88.  89 — 91. 

These  testimonies  are  becoming  historical  facts. 
The  words  ot  the  ancient  prophets  are  being  fulfilled. 
That  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  saw  and  predicted  their 
fulfilment,  evidences  the  divinity  of  his  mission. 

Job  4.  8  they  that  sow  wickedness  reap  the  same. 

18.  5—21  curses  on  the  wicked.     Chap.  20.  4—29. 

Pmlm  1.  4,  5  nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous 

2.  4,  5  the  Lord  shall  have  them-  in  derision. 

7.  11—16  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day. 

9.  17  the  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell. 

37.  28  the  seed  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off. 

35,  36  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power,  and  he  passed 
away. 

/6*a.  2.  19  they  shall  go  into  holes  of  the  rocks  and  caves  of  the 
earth. 

18.  6  the  carcasses  of  the  wicked  shall  be  left  to  the  beasts  ol 
the  earth. 

24  1—12  the  earth  is  made  empty,  because  both  priests  and  peo- 
ple have  gone  a.stray. 

28.  22  a  consumx^tion  determhied  upon  the  whole  earth. 


DESTRUCTION   OF   THE   WICKED.  20> 

*f9.  20  for  the  terrible  one  is  brouglit  to  nought. 

21  that  make  a  man  an  offender  for  a  word. 

63.  1—6  the  wicked  kingdoms  shall  be  broken.  Jer.  25.  30—38. 
Dan.  2.  44. 

Jer.  23.  19,  20  a  whirlwind  shall  fall  on  the  head  of  the  wicked. 

Med:  4.  1  the  day  cometh  that  shall  burn  them  up,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts. 

Matt.  13.  49  the  angels  shall  sever  the  wicked  from  the  just. 

Luke2\.  25,26  signs  in  the  sun  and  moon  and  stars.  Men's 
hearts  failing  them. 

1  Peter  Ai.  17  judgment  must  first  begin  at  the  house  of  God. 

Rev.  2.  23  I  will  kill  her  children  with  death. 

8.  7  the  plagues  of  hail,  fire  and  blood,  8. 
CJiaif).  9.  the  plagues  of  the  last  days. 

Ckap.  16.  the  seven  vials  of  wrath  poured  out. 
Chap.  17.  the  great  mystery,  Babylon. 

18.  1—24  the  fall  of  Babylon. 

19.  20, 21  the  destruction  of  the  beast  and  the  false  prophet. 

Book  of  JHormon. 

1  Nephi  11.  36  all  nations  to  be  destroyed  that  fight  against  the 
apostles  of  the  Lamb. 

14.  3  the  great  and  abominable  church  destroyed. 

6  wo  to  the  Gentiles !.  if  they  harden  their  hearts  against  the 
Lamb  of  God. 

17  the  wrath  of  God  poured  out  upon  the  mother  of  harlots 

22.  13  that  great  and  abominable  church  shall  be  drunken 
with  her  own  blood. 

14  those  that  fight  against  Israel  shall  be  turned  one  against 
another. 

23  all  churches  not  built  up  in  righteousness  to  be  consumed 
as  stubble. 

2  Nephi  6.  15  those  who  do  not  believe  in  Christ  shall  be  des- 
troyed. • 

9.  16  the  filthy  shall  go  into  everlasting  fire. 

27  wo  unto  him  that  lias  the  commandments  of  God,  and  trans- 
gresseth  them. 

2G.  3—6  terrible  destruction  of  the  wicked  at  the  crucifixion 
of  Christ.    ^Kephi,  Chaj)tersii.  9.  W. 

27.  1,  2  in  the  last  days  all  nations  shall  be  drunken  with  ini- 
quity, and  be  visited  with  terrible  destruction. 

Mos.  15.  26  those  who  have  known  the  commandments  of  God, 
and  not  kept  them,  shall  have  no  part  in  the  first  resurrection 

16.  1,  2  when  all  sliall  see  that  the  judgments  of  God  are  just, 
the  wicked  shall  be  cast  out. 

Alma  5.  57  the  names  of  the  wicked  shall  be  blotted  out. 

9.  28  those  who  have  been  evil  shall  reap  the  damnation  of 
their  souls. 

11.  41  the  wicked  remain  as  though  there  had  been  no  redemp- 
tion made. 

12.  16  he  that  dieth  in  his  sins,  shall  die  as  to  things  pertaining 
to  riGfhteousness.  17, 18. 

40.  lo  those  who  choose  evil  to  be  cast  into  outer  darkness 
14,  26. 


2o8  DESTRUCTION   OF   THE   WICKED. 

41.  4  those  who  work  evil  shall  have  evil  restored  to  them.  5. 

Hel.  14.  18  those  who  do  not  repent  are  hewn  down  and  cast 
into  the  fire. 

3  Neplil  20.  23  every  soul  that  will  not  hear  that  prophet  shall 
be  cut  off.    Deut.  18.  15.    Ads  3.  22,  23. 

Mormon,  Chapters  2—6.  great  destruction  of  the  Nephites  for 
their  wickedness. 

Ether  11.  7  great  descruction  of  the  Jaredites  for  their  wicked- 
ness. 


Sec.  35.  11  without  faith  nothing  shall  be  shown  except  desola" 
tion  on  Babylon. 

56.  1  in  the  day  of  visitation  and  of  wrath  on  the  nations. 

63.  6  the  day  of  wrath  shall  come  upon  them  as  a  whirlwind. 
32,33. 

Sec.  87.  concerning  the  wars  that  shall  come  to  pass,  beginning 
at  South  Carolina. 

88.  79  the  wars  and  perplexities  of  nations. 

97.  21—24  the  Lord's  scourge  shall  pass  over  by  night  and  by 
day. 

101.  14  mine  indignation  is  soon  to  be  poured  out  upon  all  na- 
tions 89. 

103.  2  on  whom  I  will  pour  out  my  wrath  without  measure. 

112.  24  vengeance  conieth  speedily  on  the  iuhabltants  of  the 
earth.  25,  26. 

130.  12  the  beginning  of  the  wars  of  the  latter  times  to  be  in 
South  Carolina. 

133.  2  the  Lord  shall  come  down  with  a  curse  to  judgment, 

136.  35  now  Cometh  the  day  of  their  calamity. 


f  tarl  of  ((Ecuat  ^xitt. 

Page  20.  the  blood  of  the  righteous  to  be  shed  in  the  meridian 
of  time,  in  the  days  of  wickedness  and  vengeance. 

21.  the  Lord  to  come  in  the  last  days,  in  the  days  of  wickedness 
and  vengeance.  The  earth  shall  rest;  but  before  that  day  there 
shall  be  great  tribulations  among  men. 

22.  Enoch  saw  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  man  in  the  last  days, 
but,  before  that  day,  he  saw  great  tribulation  among  tlic  wicked. 
He  saw  that  the  sea  was  troubled,  and  men's  hearts  failed  them 
with  fear  for  the  judgment  of  Almighty  God. 

'^8.  the  abomination  of  desolation  spoken  of  by  Daniel  the 
prophet,  before  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem 

39.  before  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  in  the  last  days,  na- 
tion shall  rise  against  nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom ; 
there  shall  be  famine,  and  pestilences,  and  earthquakes,  in  divers 
places.  The  Gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  to  all  na- 
tions, for  a  witness,  and  again  shall  the  abomination  of  desolation 
spoken  of  by  Daniel  the  prophet  be  lulfilled. 


MIRALCES.  209 

See  History  of  Josefh  Smith,  July  2,  iSjg, 
"  "  "  A/ay  i6\  iS^j, 

O.  Spencc7-'^s  Letters  to  Rev.   Wm,  Crowe  I ^  No,  it. 
P,  P,  Pfatt'^s  Voice  0/    li'arni?!^; 


MIRACLES. 


To  mortal  man  the  creation  of  the  earth  was  a 
mysterious,  miraculous  work.  '*  God  said  let  there 
be  light  and  there  was  light."  To  the  uninspired  the 
production  of  that  light  remains  a  supernatural  mani- 
festation of  power.  From  that  time  to  this  the* 
Creator  has  been  the  same  wonder  working  God. 

The  Mosaic  dispensation  opened  up  with  mighty 
miracles  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  To  Israel,  for  fifteen 
hundred  years,  the  Lord  God  was  a  God  of  miracles. 

Nicodemus,  a  ruler  of  the  Jews,  well  understood 
the  power  of  the  Priesthood  as  manifested  in  the  his- 
tory of  his  fathers,  when  he  said  to  Jesus,  "  No  man 
can  do  these  miracles  that  thou  doest,  except  God  be 
with  him;''  Johii  3.  2. 

The  Jews  had  faith  in  miracles  as  a  witness  that  a 
man- was  sent  of  God.  "Many  of  the  people  be- 
lieved on  him,  and  said,  when  Christ  cometh,  will  he 
do  more  miracles  than  these  which  this  7/ta7t  hath 
done?"  7.  31.  The  Gospel  dispensation,  like  the 
Mosaic,  which  preceded  it,  was  one  of  miraculous 
manifestations.  When  Jesus  sent  out  his  disciples 
to  preach  the  Gospel  he  said  to  them,  '^Heal  the 
sick,  cleanse  the  lepers,  raise  the  dead,  cast  out 
devils;  freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give;"  Matt. 
10.  8. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  evidences  that  the  Mosiaic 
dispensation,  ararmg;  the  Nepbites,  )v»s  9^  pi^f  pf 


2IO  MIRACLES. 

miraculous  manifestations.  The  Gospel  dispensa- 
tion, among  them,  was  preceded  and  ushered  in,  by 
miraculous  wonders  which  involved  the  destruction  of 
the  wicked,  and  increased  the  knowledge  and  faith  of 
those  who  had  the  testimony  of  Jesus. 

We  have  the  testimony  of  the  writings  of  Moses, 
of  the  prophets,  of  ancient  Israel  on  both  continents, 
of  both  Gospel  dispensations  as  recorded  in  the  New 
Testament  and  Book  of  Mormon,  that  the  God  of 
Israel,  and  of  former  day  saints,  was  a  God  of  mira- 
cles, of  si^ns,  and  wonders.  We  have  the  testimony 
of  many  tnousands  of  Latter-day  Saints,  that  God 
manifests  himself  to  them  as  he  did  to  his  people 
anciently. 

The  Revelation  of  St.  John  assures  us,  that  there 
will  be  many  miraculous  manifestations  of  the  power 
of  God  in  the  last  days.  The  sacred  records  every- 
where evidence,  that  God  is  a  God  of  miracles.  No 
people  can  claim  to  be  saints  of  the  Most  High  with- 
out the  testimony  of  miracles. 

At  the  same  time  there  may  be  miraculous  mani- 
festations that  are  not  of  God,  for  in  the  latter  times 
one  of  the  beasts  which  John  saw,  will  have  power  to 
do  great  wonders  and  deceive  them  that  dwell  on  the 
earth;  Rev,  13.  13,  14. 

John  also  saw  the  spirits  of  devils  working  miracles ; 
16.  14.  The  magicians  worked  miracles  in  common 
with  Moses  and  Aaron,  but  Aaron's  rod  swallowed 
up  their  rod.  Thus  it  will  ever  be.  The  devil  may 
have  great  power  over  the  elements,  and  over  the 
hearts  of  men,  but  the  Lord  will  come  off  conqueror. 
The  elect  will  never  be  deceived  for  they  will  discern 
the  difference  between  the  two  powers.  Whoever 
is  sent  of  God  will  work  miracles  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  and  no  man  can  work  miracles  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  ^*  Save  he  were  cleansed  every  whit  from  his 
iniquity;"  3  A'^//^2  8.  i — 3. 

There  are  two  classes  of  miracles.  One,  mani- 
festing the  power  of  God  in  the  destruction  of  the 
wicked,  the  other  a  means  of  preserving,  blessing, 
and  confirming  the  saints  in  the  faith.  If  there  & 
no  faith  God  can  do  no  miracles;  Ether  12,  12.    Tno 


MIRACLES.  211 

apostle  Paul  declared  that  (he  power  to  work  mira- 
cles was  one  of  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  i  Cor. 
12.  lo.  Hence  we  may  conclude  that  this  gift  will 
be  ever  manifest  where  the  Holy  Ghost  is  con- 
ferred by  the  authority  of  the  Holy  Priesthood. 

Gm.  15.  17  a  srfoking  furnace  and  a  burning  lamp  passed  be- 
tween the  pieces. 

ly.  11  the  men  of  Sodom  smitten  with  blindness. 

24,  25  the  Lord  destroyed  the  cities  of  the  plain. 

20  Lot's  wife  turned  iiito  a  pillar  of  salt. 

Exo.  3.  2  the  angel  appeared  to  Moses  in  a  burning  bush. 

4.  3  Moses'  rod  transformed  into  a  serpent. 

6  Moses'  hand  became  leprous. 

Chapters  7—12  a  history  of  the  wonders  which  the  Lord 
wrought,  in  the  deliverance  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt. 

13.  21,  22  the  Lord  went  before  Israel  in  a  pillar  of  a  cloud  by- 
day. 

14.  19,  20  the  pillar  of  a  cloud  covered  the  Egyptians  with 
(Zarkness. 

21—30  Israel  passed  through  the  Red  Sea,  but  the  Egyptians 
were  destroyed. 

15.  25  the  waters  of  Marah  sweetened. 

16.  10  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  a  cloud.        ^  . 
13—15  Israel  fed  on  quails  and  manna. 

23,  24  a  double  quantity  of  manna  sent  for  the  Sabbath. 

17.  6  water  brought  forth  from  the  rock  in  Horeb. 

19.  16  thunderings  and  lightnings  and  a  thick  cloud  on  the 
mount, 

18  Mount  Sinai  was  altogether  on  a  smoke. 

24.  15, 16  a  cloud  covered  the  mount  six  days. 

17  the  sight  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was  like  devouring  fire. 

18  Moses  was  in  the  mount  forty  days  and  lorty  nights. 

34.  28  Moses  was  in  the  mount  forty  days  without  food.  Deut. 
9.  18. 

40.  34  a  cloud  covered  the  tent  of  the  congregation. 

38  the  cloud  of  the  Lord  was  on  the  tabernaae  by  day,  and  fire 
by  night. 

Lev.  10.  1,  2  Nadab  and  Abihu  destroyed.    Num.  3.  4. 

Num.  11.  1—3  the  fire  of  the  Lord  burnt  among  Israel. 

31-33  Quails  sent  into  the  camp  of  Israel  and  a  great  plague. 

12.  10  Miriam  struck  with  leprosy.    14, 15  healed  of  leprosy. 

14.  37  the  spies  who  brought  an  evil  report  died  of  a  plague. 

10.  10—35  Korah  and  company  destroyed.  Chap.  26.  10. 

40—50  the  Lord  sent  a  plague  among  the  congregation. 

17.  8  the  rod  for  the  tribe  of  Levi  budded. 

20.  11  Moses  smote  the  rock  and  the  water  came  out. 

21.  6—9  the  plague  of  fiery  serpents. 

22.  28  the  Lord  opened  the  mouth  of  Baalam's  ass.  2  Peter 
2.  10. 

2.").  9  24.000  of  Israel  deatroyed  by  a  plague. 


212  MIRACLES. 

Deut.  29.  5  the  clothes  of  Israel  did  not  grow  old. 

31.  15  the  Lord  appeared  in  the  tabernacle  in  a  pillar  of  a 
cloud. 

Josh.  3.  14—17  the  waters  of  Jordan  divided  p.nd  Israel  passed 
through. 

C.  20  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down. 

7.  14—21  the  theft  of  Achan  discovered. 

10.  11  the  enemies  of  Israel  destroyed  by  hailstones. 

12 — 14  the  sun  stood  still  and  the  moon  stayed. 

Judges  6.  21  tire  consumed  the  flesh  and  unleavened  bread  of 
Gideon. 

36—40  the  sign  given  by  a  fleece  of  wool. 

7.  6,  7  three  hundred  of  Gideon's  men  lapped  -^ater. 

14.  5,  6  Samson  slew  a  lion.  19. 

15.  14  the  cords  on  the  arms  ot  Samson  became  as  flax  burnt 
■with  fire. 

15  Samson  slew  a  thousand  Philistines  with  the  jaw  bone  of  an 
ass. 

19  water  came  out  of  the  jaw-bone  for  Samson. 

IG.  29,  30  Samson  slew  many  Philistines  at  the  time  of  his 
death. 

1  Sam.  5.  4  Dagon  falls  and  is  broken  before  the  ark  of  God. 
0,  7  the  men  of  Ashdod  smitten  on  account  of  the  ark. 

9 — 12  the  cities  of  Gath  and  Ekroii  smitten  on  account  of  the 
ark. 

28.  11—14  the  witch  of  Endor  brought  up  Samuel. 

2  Sam.  6.  7  the  Lord  smote  Uzziali  for  taking  hold  of  the  ark. 
24.  12—25  the  Lord  sent  a  pestilence  on  Israel,  which  destroyed 

seventv  thousand  men.  1  Ckron.  21.  14. 

1  Kings  8.  11  the  glory  of  the  Lord  had  filled  the  house. 
2  Clirm-.  0.  13, 14. 

13.  4—6  Jerubonm's  hand  dried  up  and  restored  again. 
21  a  prophet  slain  by  a  lion,  for  disobedience. 

17.  6  Elijah  fed  by  ravens, 

11-16  the  widow's  barrel  of  meal  and  cruise  of  oil  that  did 
not  fail  by  using. 

21,  22  the  widow's  child  brought  to  life. 

18.  38  tlie  fire  of  the  Lord  consumed  Elijah's  offering. 
41—46  rain  came  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  Elijah. 

19.  6—8  Elijah  fed  by  an  angel,  after  which  he  fasted  forty 
days. 

20.  35,  86  a  man  slain  by  a  lion  for  not  obeying  a  prophet. 

22.  20—23  the  Lord  put  a  lyin^-  spirit  into  the  prophets  of  Ahab. 

2  Kings.  1.  9—14  two  companies,  of  fifty  men  each,  destroyed 
by  fire. 

2.  8  the  waters  of  Jordan  divided,  and  Elijah  passed  through. 
11  Elijah  went  up  in  a  chariot  with  horses  of  fire. 

14  Elisha  smote  the  waters  ot  Jordan  with  the  mantle  of 
Elijah. 

20—22  the  waters  of  Jericho  healed  by  Elisha. 

23,24  forty-two  children  torn  by  bears,  because  they  mocked 
Elisha. 

3.  16— "20  the  armies  of  Israel  and  Edom  supplied  with  water. 
4  1—7  the  widow's  pot  of  oil  increased,  so  as  to  pay  the  debts 

Of  her  husband.     ^^^   ^^  ^^  ^       ^^^  ,_ 

a^— j^7  tli#  «oti  of  the  Sbumanlte  broiighit  to  \\f^ 


iMIKALCES.  213 

88—41  the.  poison  removed  from  the  pot  of  pottage. 

42 — 44  one  hundred  men  miraculously  fed. 

6.  14  Naaman  healed  of  leprosy  by  Avashing  in  Jordan. 

27  the  servant  of  Elisha  cursed  with  the  leprosy  of  Naaman. 

6.  5—7  an  axe  floats  in  the  water, 

17  the  servant  of  Elisha  saw  horses  and  chariots  of  fire. 

18  the  Syrians  smitten  with  blindness. 

13.  21  a  dead  man  raised  by  coming  in  contact  with  the  bones 
of  Elisha. 

ly.  35  an  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  the  Assyrians.  2  Citron.  32.  21. 

20.  11  tiie  shadow  went  back  ten  degrees  on  the  dial  of  Ahaz. 
2  Chron.  7.  1  lire  came  down  fiom  heaven  and  consumed  the 

sa  TiJice 

2 J.  23,  24  the  Lord  destroyed  a  great  army  in  defence  of  Judah. 

21.  14—19  Jehoram  smitten  with  disease  of  the  bowels. 

26.  19  king  of  Judah  struck  with  leprosy  lor  burning  incense. 
Job  L  16  the  fire  of  God  hath  burned  up  the  sheep  and  ser- 
vants. 

Dan.  3.  13—27  the  three  Israelites  delivered  from  the  fiery  fur- 
nace. 

6.  16—24  Daniel  delivered  from  the  den  of  lions. 

Matt.  8  2,  3  leper  healed.    13  centurion's  servant  healed. 
14, 15  Jesus  healed  Peter  s  wife's  mother. 

20  Jesus  rebuked  the  winds  and  the  sea. 

28 — 34  devils  entered  into  the  herd  of  swine. 
9.  2 — 8  a  man  sick  with  palsy,  healed. 
20 — 22  a  woman  healed  of  an  issue  of  blood. 
23—25  the  ruler's  daughter  raised  from  the  dead. 
27—31  blind  man  healed.    32—34  devil  cast  out. 

12.  13  withered  hand  restored.    15  the  multitudes  healed. 
22  blind  and  dumb  lumitic  healed. 

14.  14  Jesus  healed  the  sick  of  the  multitude. 
17—21  the  multitude  led  on  five  loa\es  and  two  fishes. 
25—27  Jesus  walked  on  the  water. 

36  as  many  as  touched  the  hem  of  Jesus'  garment  were  1  ealed. 

15.  28  the  Canaanitish  woman's  daughter  healed. 

30,  31  Jesus  healed  some  blind  and  dumb  of  the  multitude. 
3.3 — 38  the  multitude  fed  on  seven  loaves  and  a  lew  fishes. 
17.  14—18  Jesus  cures  a  lunatic. 
27  tribute  money  taken  from  a  fish. 

20.  30—34  two  blind  men  restored  to  sight. 

21.  14  Jesus  healed  the  l  '/nd  and  lame  in  the  temple. 

19  tlie  fig  tree  cursed. 

27.  45  three  hours  of  darkness  at  the  crucifixion. 

51  vail  of  the  temple  rent.    28.  2  a  great  earthquake. 
Mark  1.  23—26  unclean  spirit  rebuked. 
4.  89  Jesus  rebuked  the  wind  and  the  sea. 

7.  32—35  the  deaf  man  healed  and  his  speech  restored. 

8.  22—25  blind  man  received  his  sight. 
Luke  1.  20—22  Zacharias  struck  dumb. 

2.  9  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  about  them* 

7.  10  centurion's  servant  healed. 

14,  15  widow's  son  raised  from  the  dead. 

21  many  cured  of  their  infirmities  and  plagues. 

13.  U— 13  the  woman  healed  of  a  spirit  of  infirmity. 

14.  2 — i  man  healed  of  the  dropsy. 


214  MIRACLES. 

17.  12—14  ten  lepers  healed. 

John  2,  6 — 10  water  turned  into  wine, 

4.  4y — 53  nobleman's  son  healed. 

5.  8,  y  the  impotent  man  healed. 

9.  6,  7  tJie  blind  man  healed  by  washing  in  the  pool  of  Slloam. 

11.  43,  44  Lazarus  raised  from  the  dead. 
Acts  3.  6—8  a  lame  man  healed. 

5.  3,  10  Ananias  and  wife  killed  lor  lying. 

15, 1()  the  sick  of  the  multitude  healed. 

18, 19  an  angel  delivered  the  apostles  irom  prison. 

8.  7  unclean  spirits  cast  out.  and  many  healed. 

U.  1 — 8  miraculous  conversion  of  Saul. 

17, 18  Saul  receives  his  sight.    Cliap.  22.  13. 

34  Eneas  healed  of  the  palsy. 

40,  41  Dorcas  raised  from  the  dead. 

12.  7—10  Peter  delivered  from  prison  by  an  angel, 
21—23  Herod  smitten  by  an  angel. 

14.  8 — 10  impotent  man  healed  by  Paul. 

16.  16 — 18  Paul  cast  the  spirit  of  divination  out  of  a  damsel. 

26—30  Paul  and  Silas  delivered  from  prison. 

19.  11, 12  many  miracles  wrought  by  Paul. 

20.  10—12  the  young  man  restored  who  fell  from  an  upper 
window. 

28.  3—5  Paul  received  no  injury  from  a  viper  on  his  hand. 
8  Paul  heals  the  father  of  Publius.  9^ 

Book  of  JHormon. 

1  Ncphi  1.  6  a  pillar  of  fire  appeared  before  Lehi. 

16.  10  the  Lord  prepared  a  director  to  guide  Lehi  in  his  travels. 

17.  45  the  Lord  spake  to  the  brothers  of  Nephi  and  the  earth 
sliook. 

52 — 55  the  brothers  of  Nephi  dare  not  touch  him  for  many 
days. 

18.  12  after  Nephi  was  bound  the  compass  ceased  to  work. 

21  compass  worked  in  the  hands  of  Nephi.  Through  prayer 
the  storm  ceased. 

Mos.  27.  11  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  to  Alma  and  the  earth 
shook.    Alma  3(1  7. 

19  Alma  became  dumb.    Alma  36.  10. 

Alma  8.  31  Alma  and  Amulek  could  not  be  slain. 

14.  26—29  Alma  and  Amulek  delivered  from  prison. 

15.  6 — 11  Zeezrom  healed  through  the  ministration  of  Alma. 

17.  36—39  through  a  miraculous  manifestation  of  strength, 
Amnion  saved  the  Hocks  of  Lamoni. 

18.  42  King  Lamoni  overcome  by  the  power  of  God.    . 

19.  1—12  miraculous  conversion  of  Lamoni. 

13—32  account  of  the  conversion  of  the  servants  and  wife  of 
Lamoni. 

22.  17—25  miraculous  conversion  of  the  king  of  the  land  of 
Nephi. 

Hd.  5.  20—52  Nephi  and  Lehi  delivered  from  prison. 

Chap.  9.  miraculous  manifestations  connected  with  the  murder 
of  the  chief  .judge. 

16.  6,  7  miraculous  preservation  of  the  prophet  Samuel. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  JAREDITES.  21 5 

3  Kephi,  Chapters  8,  9  and  10.  an  account  of  the  desJruction  of 
the  wicked  on  the  American  continent,  at  the  death  of  Christ. 

19.  25  the  countenance  and  garments  of  Jesus  exceeding  white. 

20.  3—7  miraculous  furnishing  of  bread  and  wine  for  sacra- 
ment. 

26.  14—16  tongues  of  the  Nephite  children  loosed. 
18  many  saw  and  heard  remarkable  things. 
Chav.  28.  account  of  the  three  Nephite  disciples  who  were  to 
remain  on  the  earth. 

4  NejM  1.  30  the  discit,les  delivered  from  prison. 

Ether  3.  1—6  the  Lord  prepared  stones  to  give  light  in  the  Ja- 
redite  vessels. 

8—16  the  brother  of  Jared  saw  the  Lord. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  JAREDITES. 


The  book  of  Ether,  now  forming  a  part  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon,  is  an  abridgment  of  the  original 
book  of  Ether,  the  last  historian  of  the  Jaredites. 
It  was  written  by  Moroni,  during  the  period  ot  thirty- 
six  years,  between  the  destruction  of  his  people  at  the 
great  battle  of  Cumorah,  A.  C.  384,  and  the  time  of 
closing  up  the  Nephite  records,  about  A.  C.  421. 

At  the  time  of  writing  it,  approximately  one  thou- 
sand years  had  passed  away  since  the  people,  of 
whom  it  gives  a  short  account,  were  destroyed  by  a 
civil  war  which  was  carried  to  the  extreme  of  exter- 
mination. 

The  account  occupies  about  thirty-eight  pages  of 
the  present  edition  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  It 
can  only  be  considered  an  outline  sketch  of  a  peo- 
ple who  occupied  North  America,  probably  a  little 
over  sixteen  hundred  years. 

^  The  Lord  told  the  brother  of  Jared,  the  leader  of 
this  early  American  colony,  that  "There  shall  be 
none  greater  than  the  nation  which  I  will  raise  up 


2l6         RECORDS  OF  THE  JAREDITES. 

unto  me  of  Iby  seed,  upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth;'' 
Ether  i.  43. 

We  cannot  doubt  but  what  this  prophetic  blessing 
of  the  Lord  upon  them,  when  they  were  about  to 
commence  their  long  and  tedious  journey  from  the 
tower  of  Babel,  was  amply  fulfilled. 

Their  history  informs  us  that  they,  in  time,  occu- 
pied the  continent  from  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  to 
the  great  lake  on  the  north,  and  that  the  states  of 
their  vast  empire  occupied  the  shores  of  both  the 
eastern  and  western  oceans. 

Moroni  says,  "  I  take  mine  account  from  the 
twenty  and  four  plates  which  were  found  by  the  people 
of  Limhi,  which  is  called  the  Book  of  Ether;"  Ether 
I.  2.  Some  account  of  the  finding  of  these  plates 
may  be  found  in  Mos.  8.  8 — 11.  chap,  21.  25,  27. 

The  fact  that  these  plates  were  called  the  Book  of 
Ether,  after  the  last  prophet  and  historian  of  the 
Jaredites,  indicates  that  they  were  an  abridgment 
from  the  general  records  of  the  Jaredites.  The 
Book  of  Ether  bears  the  same  relation  to  the  general 
Jaredite  records,  that  the  Book  of  Mormon  does  to 
those  of  the  Nephites. 

Moroni  states  that  he  gives  only  a  part  of  the 
account  of  the  Jaredites  from  the  tower  down  to  their 
destruction;  Ether  1.5.  At  the  completion  of  this 
record  he  says,  *^And  the  hundredth  part  I  have  not 
written;"  15.  33.  From  these  statements  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  Book  of  Ether,  written  by  Moroni,  is 
a  very  limited  abridgment  of  the  record  of  Ether 
contamed  on  the  twenty-four  plates. 

From  the  genealogy  .of  Ether,  given  in  the  first 
chapter  of  the  book,  we  learn  that  he  was  the  last  of 
the  royal  line  of  the  Jaredites,  as  well  as  their  last 
historian. 

In  the  days  of  the  first  Nephite  king,  called  Mo- 
siah,  who  reigned  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla,  there  was 
a  stone  brought  to  the  city  of  Zarahemla,  on  which 
was  engraved  a  short  account  of  the  Jaredites;  Omni 
I.  20 — 22. 

The  twenty-four  plates,  and  this  stone,  are  the 
only  original  records  of  the  Jaredites  of  which  we 


RECORDS.  217 

have  any  information.  Moroni  does  not  appear  to 
have  made  any  use  of  this  stone  record  in  writing  his 
abridgment. 

We  are  informed,  in  the  Book  of  Ether,  that  the 
twenty-four  plates  contained  the  visions  of  the  brother 
Df  Jared;  4.  4—7.  Therefore  we  may  conclude,  tliat 
they  are  in  the  sealed  portion  of  the  plates  from 
which  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  translated,  by 
Joseph  Smith,  the  Seer. 

There  was,  evidently,  an  original  record  from 
which  Ether  wrote  his  account  of  the  creation,  and 
the  history  of  the  world  down  to  the  tower.  Probably 
this  record  is  the  one  referred  to  by  the  daughter  of 
king  Jared,  when  she  asked  her  father  if  he  had  not 
read  the  record  which  their  fathers  had  brought 
across  the  great  deep     8.  9. 

To  the  student  who  desires  to  dig  deep,  to  learn 
the  inspired  history  of  the  earth  and  its  inhabitants, 
this  short  account  of  a  great  people,  who  occupied 
North  Ameiica  from  about  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  years  after  the  flood,  until  some  600  B.  C,  greatly 
increases  the  desire  for  further  information  concern- 
ing them. 


RECORDS 

MENTIONED   IN   THE   BIBLE,  BUT   NOT   IN    IT. 


Gen.  5.  1  the  book  of  tlie  generations  of  Adam. 
Exo,  24.  7  the  book  of  the  covenant. 
?.2,  1;V-19  tables  of  testiniony  written  on  both  sides. 
32  and  33  the  book  wliich  the  Lord  had  written. 
Num.  21.  It  book  of  the  wars  of  the  Lord. 
Josh.  10.  13  written  in  tJie  book  of  Jasher.    2  Sam.  1,  18. 
1  Sam.  10,  25  the  book  in  which  the  manner  of  tlie  kiugdoia 
was  written. 


-il8  RECORDS. 

1  Kings  4.  32,  38  boolts  oontainiug  three  thousand  proverbs,  a 
thousand  and  five  songs,  a  treatise  on  natural  history  and  botany, 
written  by  Solomon. 

11.  41  book  of  the  Acts  of  Solomon. 

14.  19  book  of  the  Chronicles  of  the  kings  of  Israel. 

1  Chron.  29.  29  the  book  of  Samuel  the  Seer,  of  Nathan  the 
prophet,  and  of  Gad  the  Seer. 

2  Ckrmi.  9.  29  book  of  Nathan  the  prophet,  the  prophecy  of  Ahi- 
jah,  the  Shilonite,  and  in  the  visions  of  Iddo  the  Seer. 

12.  15  book  of  Shemaiah  the  prophet  and  of  Iddo  the  Seer  con- 
cerning genealogies. 

13.  22  the  story  of  the  prophet  Iddo. 

20.  oi  the  book  of  Jehu  the  son  of  Hanani. 

24.  27  the  story  of  the  book  of  the  kings. 

26.  22  the  Acts  of  Uzziah,  w^ritten  by  Isaiah,  son  of  Amoz. 

28.  26  book  of  the  kings  of  Judah  and  Israel.  35.  27.  Chap. 
86.  8. 

83.  18, 19  life  of  Manasseh,  the  words  of  the  Seers  that  spake  to 
him.  in  the  book  of  the  kings  of  Israel. 

Jer.  36.  2  the  words  which  Jeremiah  wrote  against  Israel  and 
Judah.  and  all  the  nations,  in  the  roll  of  a  book. 

13  the  roll  in  which  Baruch.  the  scribe,  wrote. 

Dan.  22 .  4  the  book  that  was  sealed  to  tlie  time  of  the  end. 
Hab.  2.  2  the  vision  that  was  made  plain  on  tables. 
Mol.  3.  16  the  book  of  remembrance  that  was  written  for  those 
that  feared  the  Lord, 

Luke  1.  1  many  wrote  concerning  the  faith  of  the  early  Saints. 

1  Cor.  5.  9  a  third  epistle  to  the  Corinthians;  we  have  only  two. 
PhUip.  4.  3  the  book  of  life.    Rev.  13.  8,    Chap.  20.  12. 

Col.  4.  16  read  the  epistle  from  Laodicea. 

2  Tim.  4.  13  books  and  parchments  left  at  Troas. 
Jude  3  a  second  epistle  of  Jude ;  we  have  but  one. 

14  the  prophecy  of  Enoch. 

i?ev.  1.  11  the  book  sent  to  the  seven  churches  of  Asia. 
■    5.  1  a  book  sealed  with  seven  seals. 
10.  2  little  book  wliich  a  miglity  angel  had  in  his  hand. 
20.  12  the  books  out  of- which  the  dead  will  be  judged. 


KECOKDS   Ui^'   THE   NKPHITES.  21 9 


RECORDS   OF   THE    NEPHITES. 


The  record  of  first  importance  to  the  Nephites 
was  that  of  the  plates  of  brass,  which  was  taken 
from  the  treasury  of  Laban  by  Nephi.  It  contained 
the  five  books  of  Moses,  the  history  of  the  Jews 
down  to  the  reign  of  Zedekiah,  and  a  genealogy  of 
the  family  of  Lehi. 

This  record  was  invaluable  to  the  Jewish-Ameri- 
can colony  as  a  means  of  perpetuating  the  religion, 
customs  and  civihzation  of  their  fathers.  Lehi 
prophesied,  in  his  first  camp  in  the  wilderness, 
"  That  these  plates  of  brass  should  go  forth  unto  all 
nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people  who  were  of 
his  seed;"  i  Nephi  5.  18.  He  further  said  "That  these 
plates  of  brass  should  never  perish ;  neither  should 
they  be  dimmed  any  more  by  time;"  verse  19. 

Nearly  two  thousand  five  hundred  years  have 
passed  away  since  this  prophecy  of  Lehi's  was 
recorded,  and  we  are  assured  that  these  plates 
of  brass  are  well  preserved,  and  are  yet 
to  come  forth  to  all  the  tribes  and  peoples 
of  the  aboriginal  American  race,  and  to  all 
the  race  of  Lehi  who  may  be  scattered  on  the  islands 
of  the  sea.  This  record,  on  brass  plates,  was  writ- 
ten in  the  Egyptian  language;  Mos.  1.4.  It  appears 
to  have  borne  the  same  relationship  to  the  Nephites, 
that  the  Bible  has  to  Christian  nations,  and  to  have 
been  not  only  their  guide  in  religion,  but  also  the 
foundation  of  their  ethics  and  jurisprudence. 

From  the  first,  Nephi  was  strongly  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  keeping  a  faithful  record  of  his 
people.  He  says  in  the  beginning  of  his  first  book, 
'^  I  make  a  record  in  the  language  of  my  father, 
which  consists  of  the  learning  of  the  Jews,  and  the 
language  of  the  Egyptians;'"  i.   2.     The  Egyptian 


220  RECORDS   OF   THE   NEPHITES. 

language  must  have  had  about  the  same  re'/ation  to  the 
Jews,  that  the  Latin  has  to  modern  Christian  nations. 

The  purpose  of  the  Lord,  in  inspiring-  Nephi  to 
make  ample  preparations  for  keeping  a  record  of  his 
people,  was  gradually  developed  to  him,  for  he  says 
in  9.  5,  of  his  first  book,  "  The  Lord  hath  commanded 
me  to  make  these  plates  for  a  wise  purpose  in  him; 
which  purpose  I  know  not." 

The  importance  of  the  future  record  of  his  people 
was  afterwards  shown  him  in  vision:  "For  behold, 
saith  the  Lamb,  I  will  manifest  myself  unto  thy  seed, 
that  they  shall  write  many  things  which  I  shall  minis- 
ter unto  them,  which  shall  be  plain  and  precious;  and 
after  thy  seed  shall  be  destroyed,  and  dwindle  in  un- 
belief, and  also  the  seed  of  thy  brethren;  behold, 
these  things  shall  be  hid  up,  to  come  forth  unto  the 
Gentiles,  by  the  gift  and  power  of  the  Lamb;"  13. 
35.  The  remainder  of  this  chapter  further  explains 
this  subject. 

By  reading  the  third  chapter  of  2  Nephi^  we  learn 
that  this  subject  had  become  well  developed  in 
the  mind  of  Lehi  before  his  death.  Joseph,  who  was 
sold  into  Egypt,  had  left  on  record  a  remarkable 
prophecy — which  was  probably  engraven  on  the 
plates  of  brass — that  the  writing  of  the  fruit  of  his 
loins  (the  Book  of  Mormon),  and  the  writing  of  the 
fruit  of  the  loins  of  Judah  (the  Bible),  should  not 
only  be  joined  together  in  the  latter  days,  but  that  a 
great  Seer  should  be  raised  up  who  should  write  the 
writing  of  the  fruit  of  his  loins  for  the  benefit  of  his 
brethren.  Such  a  plain  description  is  given  of  things 
connected  with  this  Seer,  that  we  are  perfectly  safe 
in  concluding  that  he  and  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  are 
identical. 

From  this  time,  during  the  existence  of  the  Ne- 
phites,  the  coming  forth  of  their  record  to  the  Laman- 
ites,  and  to  their  own  posterity  in  the  latter  times, 
was  ever  associated  in  the  minds  of  the  faithful,  with 
the  Seer  whom  the  Lord  should  raise  up  to  bring 
them  forth.  Both  were  the  subject  of  their  earnest 
prayers,  and  called  forth  the  exercise  of  a  living 
faith;  Mormon^  8.  25. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  NEPHITES.         221 

The  history  of  the  Nephite-American  colony 
commences  with  their  leaving  Jerusalem,  600  B.  C; 
1  Nephi  10.  4,  and  closed  when  Moroni  finished  the 
record,  from  which  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  trans- 
lated, and  hid  it  up  in  the  hill  Cumorah,  A.  C.  421 ;  a 
period  of  one  thousand  and  twenty-one  years. 

When  Lehi  and  his  colony  left  Jerusalem,  the 
renowned  city  of  Babylon  was  in  the  height  of  its 
o:lory,  and  the  cit^  of  Rome  had  been  founded  only 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

The  importance  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  as  a 
history,  will  be  recognized  by  the  fact  that  it  is  the. 
only  history  of  the  western  hemisphere,  known  to 
the  world,  for  the  long  period  of  thirty-eight  hundred 
years  between  Noah's  flood,  and  the  discovery  of 
America  by  Christopher  Columbus,  in  1492, 


Book  o£  J^ormotT. 

1  Nephi  3.  3  the  record  of  Laban.  4,  13, 10, 1^^     CJiaj).  4   10—27 
o.  H— 13  the  record  contained  the  five  boo k^- of  Moses,  and  a 

history  of  Jews.  16. 

21,  22  the  records  on  the  plates  of  brass  verv  desirable.    Clmp. 

0.  1 — h.  '  « 

Hri   ^10*  w,''^^  ^^  V^^^<i^  for  sacred  tilings,  the  other  historical. 

13.  23  the  record  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  a  Jew  25 

^.  10, 41.  ■       ■ 

1 1.  18—30  concerning  the  writings  of  the  apostle  John,  and  of 

2  Nephi?'.  12  the  writings  of  Judah  nnd  Joseph  to  grow  to- 
gether. 

.^  ^-  y\  Nephl  took  with  him,  into  the  wilderness,  the  record  on 
the  plates  of  brass.  30—33. 

2;").  18  the  Lord  will  bring  forth  his  word  to  the  Jews.  18—23 

2fi  IT  the   things   done   among  them   shall  be  written   and 
sealed  up 

_  27.  7  in  the  book  shall  be  a  revelation  from  God,  from  the  be- 
ginning. 10—29. 

29  2  my  words  shall  hiss  forth  to  the  ends  of  the  earth    8. 
10 — 14. 

30.  3  the  book  written  to  be  carried  forth  to  the  seed  of  Nenhi 
Ctmp.  31.  1,  2.    Jacob  4.  1—3.  * 

^nosl    13  Enos  prayed  that  a  record  might  be  preserved  to 
come  forth  to  the  Lamanites.  14, 16— 18. 
-.y^r**^  1.  2  the  small  plates  written  for  the  benefit  of  the  La- 


222  RECORDS  OF   THE   NEPHITES. 

Omni  1.  17  tlie  people  of  Zarahemla  had  no  records.  18. 

Words  of  MonnoTi  1.  1,  2  many  years  after  tlie  coming  of  Christ, 
Mormon  delivered  the  records  to  Moroni,  and  wrote  these 
''*  Words." 

Mos.  2.  34  the  people  of  Mosiah  taught  concerning  the  records 
on  the  plates  of  brass. 

8.  5  Limhi  caused  the  records  of  his  people  to  be  brought  to 
Ammon. 

9  the  people  of  Limhi  discovered  the  records  of  the  Jaredites. 
10—19.     Cfmp.  21.  27. 

12.  8  leave  a  record  which  I  will  preserve  for  other  nations. 
Cimp.  22.  14. 

25.  5,  6  the  record  of  ZenifF  and  ot  Alma.  28.  10—20. 

Alma  22.  12. 13  Alma  expounded  the  scriptures  from  the  crea- 
tion. 23.  5.     Chap.  33.  12—15. 

37,  1—6  Alma  prophesied  that  the  records,  containing  holy 
writ,  should  retain  their  brightness.  7—27.  Cliap.  45.  2. 

Hel.  3.  13—16  many  particular  and  large  records  kept  by  the 
Nephites. 

3  Nephi  5.  8 — ^18  Mormon  explains  concerning  the  abridgment 
of  the  records  of  his  people. 

26.  7  the  plates  of  Nephi  contain  the  more  part  of  what  Christ 
taught.  11. 

27.  23—27  things  not  forbidden  to  be  written.  All  things  writ- 
ten by  the  Father. 

4  Nephi  1.  19,  20  Amos  kept  the  records  eighty-four  years.  21. 
48,  49  Ammaron  hid  up  the  sacred  records  in'the  earth. 
Mormon  1,  1  Mormon  makes  a  record  and  calls  it  the  Book  of 

Mormon.    2—5.  Cliap.  2.  17, 18. 

7.  8  the  Jewish  records  to  go  from  the  Gentiles  to  the  remnants. 
Ciap.  8.  5, 12, 14. 15. 

8.  25  their  prayers  were  in  behalf  of  him  who  should  bring 
these  things  forth. 

9.  32,  33  record  written  in  the  reformed  Egyptian.  34. 
Etlier  1.  3  the  record  of  Ether  speaks  of  the  creation. 
4—6  Moroni  gives  only  a  partial  account  of  the  Jaredites. 

3.  21 — 24  the  brother  of  Jared  commanded  to  write  what  he 
had  seen  and  heard. 

4.  1  the  things  written  by  the  brother  of  Jared  not  to  be  re- 
vealed until  Christ  should  come.  3—7, 16. 

5.  1  touch  not  the  things  sealed  up. 

3,  4  these  things  shall  be  established  by  the  mouth  of  three 
witnesses. 

15.  33  Ether  hid  the  record  so  that  the  people  of  Limhi  found  it. 

Moroni  1.  1—4  Moroni  only  wrote  an  abridgment  of  Jaredite 
history.  9.  24.    Chap.  10.  2. 


Sec.  1.  29  after  having  received  the  records  of  the  Nenhites.  3. 
19.    Sec.  5   r,  3,  4. 11,  26,  30. 

6.  26  records  kept  back  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the 
people. 

^  1  ehall  receive  a  knowledge  concerning^ancient  records,  9. 1. 


VISIONS   AND   DREAMS.  223 

10.  1  because  vou  have  given  up  those  records  you  had  power 
!o  translate.  38—42. 

1 1 — i'J  the  pravers  of  the  ancient  Saints  answered,  in  the  bring- 
ins:  forth  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  Sec.  11.  22.    Sec.  17.  1—3. 

20.  35  these  things  are  true  and  according  to  the  revelations  of 
John. 

21.  1  Josepli  Smith,  Jun.,  to  be  called  a  Seer,  a  translator. 

24.  1  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  called  and  chosen  to  write  the  Book 
of  Mormon.    Sec.  28.  7. 

42.  12  Bible  and  Book  of  Mormon  contain  the  fulness  of  the 
Gospel.  ir>. 

93.  G  the  fulness  of  John's  record  hereafter  to  be  revealed. 

107.  57  written  in  the  book  of  Enoch. 

Sec.  128.  the  dead  to  be  judged  from  the  books.  Things  that 
have  never  been  revealed  shall  be  revealed  in  the  dispensation  of 
the  fulness  of  times. 

20  Moroni  declaring  the  fulfilment  of  the  prophets— the  book 
to  be  revealed. 

135.  3  the  books  brought  forth  by  Joseph  Spaith,  Jun. 

See  Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,    y.  of  D.,   Vol.  i6,  page  47. 

•'  "    Prest,   B,    Youngs    Farmingion^    June  z/, 

7<?77,  y.  of  D,,  Vol,  ig,  page  j6. 


VISIONS    AND    DREAMS. 


"Surely  the  Lord  God  will  do  nothing,  but  he  re 
vealeth  his  secret  unto  his  servants  the  prophets;" 
Amos  3.  7.  "Where  there  is  no  vision  the  people 
perish;"  Prov.  29.  18. 

By  visions  and  dreams  the  Lord  has  made  known 
his  will  to  his  people,  in  every  dispensation  of  the 
Priesthood.  This  method  of  communicating  infor- 
mation, in  its  operations,  is  beyond  the  comprehen- 
sion of  our  natural  powers,  and,  for  this  reason,  ranks 
among  the  supernatural. 

In  the  past,  the  Lord  has  made  known  to  his 
prophets  many  of  the  important  events  that  were  to 


224  VISIONS   AND    DREAMS. 

become  history,  down  through  the  centuries  of  com- 
ing time. 

In  the  writings  of  Moses,  as  revealed  to  Joseph, 
the  wSeer,  we  have  an  account  of  wonderful  things, 
made  known  in  this  way,  to  the  prophet  Enoch,  wlio 
lived  several  hundred  years  before  Noah's  flood.  He 
says:  ''As  I  was  journeying,  and  stood  in  the  place 
Mahujah,  and  cried  unto  the  Lord,  there  came  a  voice 
out  of  heaven,  saying,  Turn  ye,  and  get  ye  upon  the 
mount  Simeon. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  I  turned  and  went  up 
on  the  mount;  and  as  I  stood  upon  the  mount,  I  be- 
held the  heavens  open,  and  I  was  clothed  upon  with 
glory,  and  I  saw  the  Lord;  and  he  stood  before  my 
face,  and  he  talked.with  me,  even  as  a  mantalketh  one 
with  another,  face  to  face;  and  he  said  unto  me, 
Look,  and  I  will  show  unto  thee  'the  world  for  the 
space  of  many  generations."  When  we  reflect  that 
this  great  prophet  lived  nearly  five  thousand  years 
ago,  and  that  the  Lord  revealed  to  him  the  great 
events  that  were  to  take  place  on  the  earth  until  the 
coming  of  Christ  in  the  latter-days,  it  will  give  us 
some  little  comprehension  of  the  wonderful  and  great 
things  revealed  to  him.  The  account  of  this  is  in  P. 
of  G.  P. ^  pages  17 — 22. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  gives. us  a  short  account  of 
another  prophet,  the  brother  of  Jared,  who  lived 
about  one  hundred  years  after  the  flood.  The  Lord 
"Shewed  unto  the  brother  of  Jared  all  the  inhabitants 
of  the  earth  which  had  been,  and  also  all  that  would 
be;  and  he  withheld  them  not  from  his  sight,  even 
unto  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  For  he  had  said  unto 
him  in  times  before,  That  if  he  would  believe  in  him, 
that  he  could  shew  unto  him  all  things — it  should  be 
shewn  unto  him;  therefore  the  Lord  could  not  with- 
hold anything  from  him,  for  he  knew  that  the  Lord 
could  shew  him  all  things." 

We  have  no  account  of  any  greater  vision  than 
this  which  the  brother  of  Jared  had.  "And  the  Lord 
said  unto  him.  Write  these  things  and  seal  them  up, 
and  I  will  shew  them  in  mine  own  due  time  unto  the 
children  of  menj"  Ether  %,  %  — 37t ,  Thu»  we  l^arw 


VISIONS  AND  DREAMS.  22$ 

from  the  twenty-seventh  verse,  that  all  the  great 
things  which  pertain  to  the  history  of  man,  from  the 
beginning  unto  the  end  of  the  earth,  are  yet  to  be  re- 
vealed, through  the  record  of  the  brother  of  Jared,  to 
all  who  are  prepared  to  receive  them. 

Lehi,  the  head  of  the  first  Jewish  colony  to  Amer- 
ica, was  commanded  by  the  Lord,  in  a  dream,  to 
leave  Jerusalem,  take  his  family  and  go  into  the  wil- 
derness, preparatory  to  going  to  a  strange  land ;  i 
Nephii.  2;  -z/^r^'^f  4  proves  his  supreme  faith  in  this 
dream:  '*And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  departed  into 
the  wilderness.  And  he  left  his  house,  and  the  land 
of  his  inheritance,  and  his  gold,  and  his  silver,  and 
his  precious  things,  and  took  nothing  with  him,  save 
it  were  his  family,  and  provisions,  and  tents,  and  de- 
parted into  the  wilderness." 

This  great  patriarch,  on  other  occasions,  showec- 
his  faith  in  dreams  and  visions.  In  these  ways  the 
Lord  revealed  many  great  things  to  him  and  his  soi. 
Nephi. 

The  Mosaic  dispensation  opened  by  an  angel  o.^ 
the  Lord  appearing  unto  Moses  in  a  flame  of  fire.. 
*'Out  of  the  midst  of  a  bush;"  Exo,  3.  2. 

The  Old  Testament  gives  an  account  of  many 
visions  and  dreams,  but  perhaps  the  most  important 
of  the  latter  is  the  dream  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  which 
was  interpreted  by  the  prophet  Daniel;  Datt.  2.  It 
is  now  over  twenty-four  hundred  years  since  the  king 
of  Babylon  had  that  dream,  and  its  fulfilment  can  be 
traced  in  the  history  of  the  world  down  through  all 
these  centuries. 

The  last  great  event,  shown  in  this  dream,  was, 
that  in  the  latter  times  the  God  of  heaven  would  set 
up  a  kingdom  which  would  break  down  other  king- 
doms and  stand  forever.  This  is  the  kingdom  that  it 
was  the  mission  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  to  establish, 
and  which  the  Latter-day  Saints  are  laboring  to  build 
up. 

Dreams  characterized  the  opening  up  of  the  New 
Testament  dispensation.     After  the  birth  of  our  Sa- 
vior the  wise  men,  who  came  from  the  east  to  see 
him,  were  warned  to  disobey  the  comraaml  of  tbe 
16 


226  VISIONS    AND   DREAMS. 

wicked  king  Herod,  who  sought  the  h'fe  of  the  young 
child.  The  reputed  father  of  the  child,  Joseph,  was 
warned  in  a  dieam  to  take  the  child  and  its  mother 
and  flee  into  Egypt  for  the  same  reason.  When 
Herod  was  dead,  Joseph  was  warned  in  a  dream  to 
take  the  child  and  its  mother  and  return  into  the  land 
of  Israel. 

This  great  latter-day  dispensation  was  opened  up 
by  a  vision.  When  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  was  a  lad,  in 
his  fifteenth  year,  he  retired  to  a  secret  place  to  ask 
the  Lord  to  direct  him  and  give  him  wisdom.  When 
he  kneeled  down  to  offer  up  the  desires  of  his  heart 
to  God,  he  was  nearly  overcome  by  the  powers  of 
darkness. 

He  says,  in  the  narrative  of  his  life  written  by 
himself,  ^'Just  at  this  moment  of  great  alarm,  I  saw  a 
pillar  of  light  exactly  over  my  head,  above  the  bright- 
ness of  the  sun,  which  descended  gradually  until  it 
fell  upon  me.  It  no  sooner  appeared  than  I  found 
myself  delivered  from  the  enemy  which  held  me 
bound.  When  the  light  rested  upon  me,  I  saw  two 
personages,  whose  brightness  and  glory  defy  all  des- 
cription, standing  above  me  in  the  air.  One  of  them 
spake  unto  me,  calling  me  by  name,  and  said  (point- 
ing to  the  other).  This  is  my  Beloved  Son,  Hear 
Him."  p.  of  G.  P.,  page  47. 

An  account  of  one  of  the  most  remarkable  visions 
of  this  dispensation,  is  recorded  in  Doc.  &^  Cov.,  sec, 
76.  The  narrative  commences  as  follows:  ''We, 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun..  and  Sidney  Rigdon,  being  in  the 
Spirit  on  the  sixteenth  of  February,  in  the  year  ol 
our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-two, 
by  the  power  of  the  Spirit  our  eyes  were  opened  and 
our  understandings  were  enlightened,  so  as  to  see 
and  understand  the  things  of  God — even  those  things 
which  were  from  the  beginning  before  the  world  was, 
which  were  ordained  of  the  Father,  through  his  Only 
Begotten  Son,  who  was  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father, 
even  from  the  beginning,  of  whom  we  bear  record, 
and  the  record  which  we  bear  is  the  fulness  of  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  Son,  whom  we 
saw  and  with  whom  we  conversed  in  the  heavenly 


VISIONS   AND   DREAMS.  227 

vision;'*  verses  ii — 14.  In  Joseph  Smith's  first 
vision,  God  the  Father  bore  testimony  of  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son.  In  this  last  vision,  the  Son  appeared 
to  Joseph  Smith  and  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  revealed  to 
them  many  great  and  glorious  truths  concerning  the 
resurrection,  and  the  final  reward  of  all  men  accord- 
ing to  their  works.  The  account  of  the  vision  will 
repay  much  careful  study. 

The  Lord  said,  through  his  prophet  Joel,  speaking 
of  the  times  when  Israel  should  be  gathered  in  the 
latter  days,  "I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh; 
and  your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy, 
your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams,  your  young  men 
shall  see  visions;"  2.  28.  Thousands  of  Latter-day 
Saints  can  testify  that  this  prophecy  is  being  fulfilled, 
and  that  dreams  and  visions  characterize  this  as  they 
have  all  former  dispensations  of  the  Priesthood. 

Gen.  15.  12  a  horror  of  great  darkness  fell  on  Abraham. 

20.  3  God  came  to  Abimelech  in  a  dream  by  night.  6. 

28.  12—15  Jacob's  dream  in  Bethel. 

31.  10 — 12  Jacob's  dream  of  the  speckled  cattle. 

21  God  appeared  to  Laban. 

37.  5—8  Joseph's  dream  of  the  sheaves. 

9, 10  JoFcpli's  dream  of  the  sun,  n^oon  and  stars. 

40.  ' — l*j  the  dreams  of  Pharaoh's  chief  butler  and  chief  baker. 

41.  •—"2  Pharaoh's  dreams  and  Joseph's  interpretation. 
4  \  2  God  spake  to  Jacob  in  the  visions  of  the  night. 

2  Ham,  7.  17  according  to  all  this  vision  did  Nathan  speak  to 
David. 

1  K'iug^  3.  5—14  Solomon's  dream  in  which  he  asks  the  Lord  for 
\vi  >dom. 

y.  2  the  Lord  appeared  to  Solomon  in  a  dream,  as  he  had  ap- 
peared unto  him  at  Gibeon. 

22.  ]y — 22  Micah's  vision  of  the  lying  spirit. 

Job  4.  12, 13  was  secretly  brought  to  me  from  the  visions  of  the 
night. 

Jer.  1.  11—16  visions  of  a  rod,  and  of  a  seething  pot. 

Ezek.  1.  vision  of  four  living  creatures. 

2.  9, 10  the  visions  of  the  roll  of  a  book. 

3.  22,  23  a  vision  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

Oum.  8.  vision  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  and  of  the  rebellioas 
nes-;  of  Judah 

Cha'p.  9.  vision  of  the  destruction  of  the  wicked  and  of  the 
preservation  of  the  righteous  in  Jerusalem. 

Cha'p*  10.  vision  of  the  coals  of  lire  scattered  over  Jerusaleuj 


228  VISIONS   AND   DREAMS. 

and  of  living  creatures  which  Ezekiel  had  before  seen  by  the 
river  Chebar. 

11.  22  vision  of  the  Cherubim. 

23  vision  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  departing  from  Jerusalem 

24,  25  Ezekiel  in  vision  was  carried  by  the  Spirit  into  Chaldean 

37.  1—10  vision  of  dry  bones,  tlieir  coming  together  and  being 
covered  with  flesh  and  filled  with  life. 

Clmv.  40.  and  remainder  of  Ezekiel  is  probably  a  vision  of 
Jerusalem  during  the  Millennium. 

Dan.  4.  Nebuchadnezzar's  dream  of  a  great  tree. 

Chap.  5.  the  handwriting  on  the  wall  of  the  palace  of  Belshazzar 

Gimp  1.  Daniel's  vision  of  the  four  beasts,  and  of  tlie  sitting  of 
the  Ancient  of  days. 

Chap.  8.  Daniel's  vision  of  the  ram  and  the  goat. 

Hctb  2.  2,  3  write  the  vision  and  make  it  plain  upon  tables. 

Zech.  1.  8—11  the  vision  of  tlie  horses  among  the  myrtle  trees. 

18 — ^21  visions  of  the  homs  and  carpenters. 

2.  1,  2  vision  of  the  measuring  line. 

Chap.  4.  vision  of  the  golden  candlestick. 

CMp.  5.  vision  of  the  flying  roll.    6.  1—8  of  the  four  chariots. 

Matt.  1.  20  an  angel  appeared  to  Joseph  in  a  dream. 

Luke  1.  5 — 19  Gabriel  promised  Zacharias  that  his  wife  Eliza 
beth  should  have  a  son  named  John. 

Acts  9.  12  Saul's  vision  of  Ananias. 

10.  10—16  Peter's  vision  of  all  manner  of  beasts.  11.  5—10. 

30—32  Cornelius'  vision  of  a  man  in  bright  clothing. 

16.  9  Paul's  vision  of  a  man  from  Macedonia  wanting  help. 

18.  9, 10  the  Lord  appeared  to  Paul  in  a  vision. 

22.  17—21  Paul  had  a  trance  in  the  temple. 

Rev,  1.  12—18  vision  of  the  seven  golden  candlesticks. 

Cfiap.  4.  vision  of  the  throne  of  God,  of  twenty-four  elders  and 
of  four  beasts. 

Chap.  5.  the  book  sealed  with  seven  seals. 

Clmp.  6.  the  opening  of  the  seven  seals. 

Chap.  7.  144,000  of  the  tribes  of  Israel  scaled  in  their  foreheads, 
an  innumerable  multitude?  stood  before  the  throne. 

Chap.  8.  the  opening  of  the  seventh  seal  and  the  plagues  tliat  ' 
follow. 

Ciiap.  9.  opening  of  the  bottomless  pit,  the  plague  of  locusts ; 
other  woes  follow. 

Chap.  10.  the  book  which  John  is  commanded  to  eat. 

Chap.  11.  vision  of  two  witnesses  who  shall  be  slain  and  rise 
after  three  days.    The  seventh  trumpet  sounds. 

Chap.  12.  vision  of  the  woman  with  child,  and  of  the  great  red 
dragon. 

Chap.  13.  the  beast  with  seven  heads  and  ten  horns. 
Chap.  14.  the  Lamb   standing   on   Mount   Zion ;   the   Gospel 
preached ;  the  fall  of  Babylon. 

Chap.  15.  the  seven  angels  with  the  seven  last  plagues ;  the 
seven  vials  full  of  wrath. 

Chap.  16.  the  angels  pour  out  their  vials  full  of  wrath ;  the  com- 
ing of  Christ. 

Chap.  17.  great  Babylon  represented  by  a  woman. 
Chap.  18.  the  fall  of  Babylon ;  the  gathering  of  the  Saints. 
Chap.  19.  the  blood  of  the  Saints  avenged ;  the  marriage  of  the 
Lamb ;  the  fbwis  called  to  the  great  slaughter. 


SIGNS   AND  TOKENS.  229 

Chap. 20.  Satan  bound  for  a  thousand  years;  he  is  let  loose 
again ;  Gog  and  Magog;  the  last  resurrection. 

Chap.  21.  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth ;  the  heavenly  Jeru- 
salem. 

Chap.  22.  the  river  and  tree  of  life. 

Book  of  JHormoit. 

1  Nephi  1.  6  there  came  a  pillar  of  fire  and  dwelt  upon  a  rock 
before  Lehi. 

8  Lehi  was  overcome  by  the  Spirit  and  carried  away  in  a  vision, 
in  which  he  saw  many  things. 

3.  2,  3  Lehi  commanded,  in  a  dream,  to  send  his  sons  to  Jeru- 
salem for  the  record  of  the  Jews. 

Chap.  8.  Lehi's  vision  of  the  tree  with  the  white  fruit,  the  river 
and  the  rod  of  iron,  and  of  a  great  and  spacious  building. 

Chap.  11.  Nephi's  vision  of  the  Son  of  Man,  his  ministry,  suf- 
ferings and  death. 

Clmp.  12.  Nephi's  vision  of  his  own  seed,  the  seed  of  his  breth- 
ren, and  of  the  promised  land. 

Chaj).  13.  Nephi's  vision  of  the  Gentile  nations  across  the 
'  many  waters,"  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher  Co- 
lumbus, and  of  many  other  great  events  that  were  to  take  place 
in  the  future. 

18.  2  Nephi  built  the  ship  after  the  manner  the  Lord  had  shown 
him. 

2  Nephi  1.  4  Lehi  had  a  vision  in  which  he  knew  that  Jerusa- 
lem was  destroyed. 

Mos.  27.  11—13  an  angel  of  God  descended  in  a  cloud  and  ap- 
peared to  Alma. 


SIGNS   AND    TOKENS. 


Signs  may  or  may  not  be  miraculous  manffesta- 
tions.  They  may  indicate  something  that  has  taken 
place,  and  also  be  a  token  of  a  continuance  of  some 
certain  blessing.  For  instance,  the  Lord  covenanted 
with  Noah,  and  vi^ilh  every  living  creature,  that  he 
would  not  again  destroy  all  flesh  from  the  earth  with 
a  flood. 


230  SIGNS   AND   TOKENS. 

As  a  token  of  this  covenant  the  Lord  said  to  • 
Noah,  *'I  do  set  my  bow  in  the  cloud,  and  it  shall  be 
for  a  token  of  a  covenant  between  me  and  the  earth. 
And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  I  bring  a  cloud  over 
the  earth,  that  the  bow  shall  be  seen  in  the  cloud." 
The  Lord  further  assured  Noah,  ^'And  the  bow  shall 
be  in  the  cloud;  and  I  will  look  upon  it,  that  I  may 
remember  the  everlasting  covenant  between  God  and 
every  living  creature  of  all  flesh  that  is  upon  the 
earth;"  Gen,  9.  9 — 17. 

They  may  also  indicate  that  certain  things  shall 
take  place  periodically,  as  "God  said,  Let  there  be 
lights  in  the  firmament  of  the  heaven  to  divide  the 
day  from  the  night;  and  let  them  be  for  signs,  and 
for  seasons,  and  for  days,  and  for  years;"  i.   14. 

The  prophets  have  foretold  signs  that  should 
precede  great  events  that  were  to  take  place  on  the 
earth.  Speaking  of  the  birth  of  our  Savior,  the 
prophet  Isaiah  says,  ''The  Lord  himself  shall 
give  you  a  sign;  Behold,  a  virgin  shall  conceive,  and 
bear  a  Son;"  7.  14. 

The  Lamanite  prophet,  Samuel,  foretold  to  the 
Nephites  in  the  city  of  Zarahemla,  that  for  two  days 
and  one  night  preceding  the  birth  of  Christ  there 
should  be  no  darkness,  and  that  a  new  star  should 
arise,  such  an  one  as  the  Nephites  had  never  before 
beheld;  Hel.  14.  3,  5.  These  signs  appeared  as 
Samuel  predicted ;  -^Nephii,  13 — 21. 

He  also  predicted  terrible  judgments  that  should 
destroy  the  wicked  among  the  Nephites  and  Laman- 
ites  when  the  Savior  should  die.  Simultaneously 
with  that  event  there  should  be  thunderings,  hght- 
nings,  tempests  and  earthquakes.  These  should 
continue  for  many  hours,  and  darkness  should  cover 
the  land  for  three  days;  Hel.  14.  21 — 2"],  Chapters 
8,  9,  and  10,  of  3  Nephi,  give  us  a  very  vivid  descrip- 
tion of  these  judgments  that  were  predicted  by 
Samuel. 

In  the  sacred  writings,  many  signs  are  predicted 
that  should  precede  the  com.ing  of  the  Son  of  Man, 
in  the  latter  days.  The  Jewish  apostles  of  our  Savior 
manifested  g^reat  interest  in  this  matter.     On  a   cer- 


SIGNS  AND   TOKENS.  23I 

Lain  occasion  when  Jesus  sat  upon  the  Mount  of 
Olives,  they  asked  concerning  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem;  after  which  they  especially  inquired, 
*'  What  is  the  sign  of  thy  coming  and  of' the  end  of 
the  world?"  /\  of  G.  /^,  page  38. 

Jesus  first  answered  them  concerning  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Temple  and  the  Jews.  He  told  his  disci- 
ples that  they  should  be  afflicted  and  killed,  and  be 
hated  of  all  nations  for  his  name's  sake.  "  Then 
shall  many  be  oiiended,  and  shall  betray  one  another; 
and  many  false  prophets  shall  arise,  and  shall  deceive 
many;  and  because  iniquity  shall  abound,  the  love  of 
many  shall  wax  cold;  but  he  that  remaineth  steadfast 
and  is  not  overcome,  the  same  shall  be  saved." 

*'When  you,  therefore,  shall  see  the  abomination  of 
desolation,  spoken  of  by  Daniel  the  prophet,  con- 
cerning the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  (/>-'//.  12.  11), 
then  you  shall  stand  in  the  holy  place.  '  In  this 
paragraph,  continuing  on  to  page  39,  Cluist  says,  "  In 
those  days,  shall  be  great  tribulation  on  the  Jews, 
and  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  such  as  was 
not  before  sent  upon  Israel  ot  God,  since  the 
beginning  of  their  kingdom  until  this  time;  no,  nor 
ever  shall  be  sent  again  upon  Israel.'' 

After  these  judgments  should  come  upon  Jeru- 
salem and  the  Jews,  then  false  Christs  and  prophets 
should  arise,  and  shew  great  signs  and  wonders,  in- 
somuch that  they  would  deceive  the  Elect  according 
to  the  covenant,  if  it  were  possible. 

Then  he  assures  his  diJ^ciples  that  they  shall  hear 
of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,  but  he  assures  them 
that  will  not  be  the  end.  For  afterwards  there  will  be 
those  who  will  predict  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 

Man.  He  tells  his  disciples  that  they  need  not  be  de- 
ceived with  regard  to  this  great  event,  "  For  as  the 
light  of  the  morning  cometh  out  of  the  east,  and 
shineth  even  unto  the  west,  and  covereth  the  whole 
earth,  so  shall  also  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be." 
That  is,  the  indications  of  his  coming  will  be  so  un- 
mistakable that  they  need  not  be  deceived. 

One  very  significant  sign  of  his  coming,  he  stated 
would  be,  that  his  Elect  should  be  gathered  from  the 


232  SIGNS   AND   TOKENS, 

four  quarters  of  the  earth.  Through  the  instrument 
tab'ty  of  Joseph  Smith  and  the  Holy  Priesthood,  this 
great  work  is  now  going  on:  *^And  they,''  that  is 
those  who  are  being  gathered,  "shall  hear  of  wars, 
and  rumors  of  wars,  *  *         for  nation  shall 

rise  against  nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom; 
there  shall  be  famine,  and  pestilences,  and  earth- 
quakes, in  divers  places;  and  again,  (for  the  second 
time)  because  iniquity  shall  abound,  the  love  of  many 
shall  wax  cold."  Again  Jesus  gave  the  assurance 
that  he  who  was  not  overcome  should  be  saved: 
^^And  a^ain" — that  is  when  the  Elect  are  being  gath- 
ered and  judgments  were  being  poured  out  upon  the 
nations  for  the  second  time — "  This  Gospel  of  the 
kingdom  shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world,  for  a 
witness  unto  all  nations,  and  then  shall  the  end  come," 
or  the  destruction  of  the  wicked;  "  and  again" — that 
is  for  the  second  time — ''  shall  the  abomination  of 
desolation,  spoken  of  by  Daniel  the  prophet,  be  ful- 
filled. And  immediately  after  the  tribulation  of 
those  days,  the  sun  shall  be  darkened,  and  the  moon 
shall  not  give  her  light,  and  the  stars  shall  fall  from 
heaven,  and  the  powers  of  heaven  shall  be  shaken; 
verily,  I  say  unto  you,  this  generation,  in  which  these 
things  shall  be  shewn  forth,  shall  not  pass  away  until 
all  I  have  told  you  shall  be  fulfilled.  *        *        * 

After  the  tribulation  of  those  days,  and  the  powers 
of  the  heavens  shall  be  shaken ;  then  shall  appear  the 
sign  of  the  Son  of  Man  in  heaven,  and  then  shall 
all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  mourn;  and  they  shall  see 
the  Son  of  Man  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven, 
with  power  and  great  glory;"  P,  of  G,  P.,  pages 
38—40. 

This  translation  of  the  twenty-fourth  chapter  of 
Matthew,  commencing  with  the  last  verse  of  the 
twenty-third  chapter,  by  Joseph  Smith,  the  Seer,  is 
both  very  interesting  and  instructive  to  the  student  of 
theology.  It  contains  much  more  than  can  be  made 
to  appear  in  a  short  sketch  like  this. 

Every  dispensation  of  the  Priesthood  has  been 
characterized  by  miracles,  by  signs,  and  wonders, 
and  none  more  than  this,  the  dispensation  of  the  ful- 


SIGNS   AND   TOKENS.  233 

ness  of  times.  It  was  to  be  opened  up  by  an  angel 
who  should  fly  through  the  midst  of  heaven,  having 
the  everlasting  Gospel  to  preach  to  the  nations  of  the 
earth;  Rev.  14.  6. 

An  angel,  named  Moroni,  has  come  and  brought 
forth  to  the  world  the  Book  of  Mormon,  which  con- 
tains the  fulness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  \  P.  of  G, 
P.,  pages  ^() — 53-  It  is  the  same  Gospel  that  was 
preached  by  Jesus  and  his  apostles.  Thus,  the  say- 
ing of  the  Savior  to  his  disciples  upon  the  Mount  of 
Olives  is  being  fulfilled:  *'This  Gospel  of  the  king- 
dom shall  be  preached  to  all  the  world  for  a  witness 
unto  all  nations;  and  then  shall  the  end  come;"  Matt, 
24.  14.  Israel  is  being  gathered  from  the  four  quar- 
ters of  the  earth  in  fulfilment  of  numerous  predictions 
of  the  ancient  prophets. 

Jesus,  also,  told  his  disciples  that  they  should 
hear  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars.  "For  nation  shall 
rise  against  nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom; 
and  there  shall  be  famines,  and  pestilences,  and 
earthquakes,  in  divers  places;"  verses  6,  7.  The 
world  is  witness  that  these  sayings  are  being  ful- 
fiilled. 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  many  signs  and  to- 
kens that  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  in  power 
and  great  glory  is  near  at  hand.  Signs  and  tokens 
will  increase  as  manifestations  that  God  is  at  work 
among  the  nations.  Only  those  who  have  faith  in 
God  will  comprehend  their  meaning.  He  has  prom- 
ised his  saints  that  it  should  be  given  them  to  under- 
stand the  signs  of  the  times;  Doc.  &^  Cgv.  68.  11. 

The  wicked  are  ever  seeking  after  signs,  but  they 
have  no  faith  in  the  Giver,  and  therefore  their  mo- 
tives are  evil.  Jesus  said,  "An  evil  and  adulterous 
generation  seeketh  after  a  sign;"  Matt.  12.  39.  We 
are  promised  that  signs  shall  follow  the  believer; 
Mark  16.  i"] — 20.  This  promise  is  not  limited  to 
any  specified  time  or  place;  but  extends  to  all  believ- 
ers. They  are  nowhere  promised  to  the  unbeliever 
except  for  a  testimony  against  them ;  for  the  Lord  has 
said,  "He  that  seeketh  signs,  shall  see  signs,  but  not 
unto  salvation;"  Doc.  6r»  Cov.^  63.  7. 


234  SIGNS   AND    TOKENS. 

Signs  are  a  gift  of  God,  and,  to  be  beneficial  to 
those  who  receive  them,  they  must  come  by  faith; 
'^Signs  come  by  faith,  not  by 'the  will  of  men,  nor  as 
ihey  please,  but  by  the  will  of  God;"  verse  lo. 
Hence,  they  are  a  blessing  to  the  believer,  but  not  to 
[hose  who  would  treat  with  contempt  a  manifestation 
of  the  power  and  goodness  of  God. 

Exo.  4.  17  thou  Shalt  take  this  rod  in  thine  hand,  wherewith 
thou  shalt  do  signs. 

12.  13  and  the  blood  shall  be  for  a  token  upon  the  houses. 
Deut.  13.  1,  2  if  a  prophet  or  a  dreamer  of  dreams  give  thee  a 

sign  or  a  wonder. 

28.  46  they  shall  be  upon  thee  and  thy  seed  forever  for  a  sign 
and  for  a  wonder. 

Dan.  4.  3  how  great  are  his  signs,  and  how  mighty  his  wonders. 

6.  27  he  worketh  signs  and  wonders  in  heaven  and  on  earth. 

Matt.  12.  38  Master,  we  would  see  a  sign  from  tliee. 

16.  1  desired  him  that  he  would  shew  them  a  sign  from 
heaven.  3. 

Mark  8.  11, 12  seeking  of  him  a  sign  from  heaven. 

13.  4  what  shall  be  the  sign  when  all  these  things  shall  be  ful- 
filled? 22. 

Luke  2.  84  for  a  sign  that  shall  be  spoken  against. 

21.  11  fearful  sights  and  great  signs  shall  there  be  from 
heaven.  25. 

John  2.  18  what  sign  shewest  thou  unto  us? 

4.  48  except  ye  see  signs  and  wonders  ye  will  not  believe. 

6.  30  what  sign  shewest  thou  that  we  may  see  and  believe  thee  ? 

Acts  2.  19  I  will  shew  wonders  in  heaven  above,  and  signs  in 
the  earth  beneath.  43. 

4.  30  that  signs  and  wonders  may  be  done  by  the  name  of 
Jesus.  5.  12.    Chap.  14.  3. 

Rom.  4.  11  received  the  sign  of  circumcision,  a  seal  of  right- 
eousness. 

1  Cor,  1.  22  for  the  Jews  require  a  sign. 

2  TJiess.  2.  9  with  all  powers,  and  signs,  and  lying  wonders. 
Rev.  15.  1  I  saw  another  sign  in  heaven,  great  and  marvelous. 

Book  of  ilHormon. 

I  Nephi  19.  10  Zenos  spake  of  three  days'  darkness,  a  sign  of  the 
death  of  Christ. 

II  af^er  Messiah  shall  come  there  shall  be  signs  given  to  all 
Israel. 

Jacob  7.  3, 14  Sherem  said,  shew  a  sign  bv  this  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Mos.  3.  15  many  signs,  wonders,  t}T)es  and  shadows  shewed  he 
unto  them. 


ANGELS.  235 

Alma  3*2.  17  many  who  say,  shew  us  a  sign  from  heaven  and  we 
shall  believe. 

37.  27  ail  these  signs  and  wonders  ye  shall  retain  from  this 
people. 

Hd.  16.  13  in  the  nineteenth  year  of  the  judges  were  gi-eat 
signs  and  wonders. 

oNei)Jd2.  1  the  people  began  to  forget  the  signs  and  wonders 
they  had  seen. 

8  the  Nephites  began  to  reckon  time  from  the  appearing  of  the 
sign. 

li.  2  the  people  conversed  about  Jesus  Christ  and  the  sign  of 
his  death. 

21.  2  this  is  the  thing  I  will  give  to  you  for  a  sign. 

7  be  a  sign  to  them  that  the  worJv  of  the  Father  hath  com- 
menced. 

Ether  4.  IS  and  signs  shall  follow  those  that  believe. 


Sec.  39.  23  and  they  shall  be  looking  forth  for  the  signs  of  my 
coming. 

45.  16  as  ye  have  asked  of  me  concerning  the  signs  of  my  com- 
ing. 39,  40. 

46.  9  not  for  a  sign  that  he  may  consume  it  on  his  lusts. 

58.  64  the  Gospel  must  be  preached  to  every  creature,  with 
signs  following. 

63.  9  faith  cometh  not  by  signs,  but  signs  follow  those  that  be- 
lieve. 10, 12. 

68.  10  he  that  believeth  shall  be  blest  with  signs  following. 

11  to  you  it  shall  be  given  to  know  the  signs  of  the  times.    . 

84,  65  these  signs  shall  follow  those  that  believe. 

88..  93  immediately  there  shall  appear  a  great  sign  in  heaven, 
and  all  people  shall  see  it  together. 

124.  98  these  signs  shall  follow  him. 


ANGELS. 


AnjG^els  have  acted  an  important  part  in  every  dis- 
pensation of  the  Priesthood.  An  angel  first  preached 
the  Gospel  of  faith  on  the  Son  of  God  to  Adam ;  P, 
of  G,  P.,  page  9.     An   angel  of   the   Lord  called  to 


23<^  ANGEL?. 

Abraham;  Gen.  22.  11.  An  angel  first  attracted  the: 
attention  of  Moses  to  the  burning  bush;  ^:r.  3.  2. 
Their  ministrations  are  often  mentioned  in  the  Old 
Testament  history  of  ancient  Israel.  They  were  a 
prominent  feature  in  the  opening  history  of  the  New 
Testament  dispensation.  An  angel  appeared  to 
Zacharias,  the  father  of  John  the  Baptist,  and  fore- 
told his  birth;  Luke  i.  11,  12. 

The  angel  Gabriel  appeared  to  the  virgin  Mary 
and  foretold  the  birth  of  the  Savior;  verse  31.  An 
angel  appeared  to  the  shepherds,  bringing  the  joyful 
news  of  a  Savior's  birth;  2.  10,  11.  One  warned 
Joseph  to  flee  into  Egypt  to  save  the  life  of  the  child 
Jesus,  and  to  return  again  after  the  death  of  Herod; 
Matt.  2.  13 — 15.  According  to  the  writings  of  the 
apostles  they  continued  their  ministrations,  at  least 
until  John  wrote  his  Revelation,  for  he  was  com- 
manded to  write  to  the  angel  of  each  of  the  seven 
churches  of  Asia;  Chapters  2.  3. 

According  to  prophecy,  angels  were  to  act  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times. 
The  dispensation  was  to  be  opened  by  one,  for  John 
the  Revelator  says,**And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the 
midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting  Gospel  to 
preach  unto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth;"  Rev. 
14.6. 

There  is  abundant  evidence  that  an  angel,  calling 
himself  Moroni,  came  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and 
taught  him  the  principle  and  power  of  revelation 
from  God,  made  known  to  him  the  real  condition  of 
the  world,  and  when  he  had  properly  instructed  him, 
delivered  to  him  the  record  from  which  the  Book  of 
Mormon  was  translated  by  the  power  of  God,  con- 
taining the  fulness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel;  P,of 
G,  P.,  pages  49—54. 

The  angel,  John  the  Baptist,  ordained  Joseph  Smith 
and  O.  Cowdery  to  the  Priesthood  of  Aaron,  "Which 
holds  the  keys  of  the  ministering  of  angels^  and  of 
the  Gospel  of  repentance,  and  of  oaptism  by  immer- 
sion for  the  remission  of  sins;"  Doc,  6r»  Cov,^  13. 
From  this  second  angel  they  received  authority  to 
preach  the  Gospel,  revealed  by  the  first  angel,  and  to 


ANGELS.  237 

minister  in  its  ordinances  among  all  nations,  thus  ful- 
filling the  prophetic  vision  of  St.  John. 

Angels  are  to  accompany  Jesus  Christ  when  he 
shall  come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father;  Matt.  16.  27. 
They  are  to  gather  the  elect  from  the  four  quarters  of 
the  earth;  24.  31.  The  inspired  writings,  and  espe- 
cially the  Revelation  of  St.  John,  assures  us  that  they 
will  act  an  important  part  in  the  great  work  of  the 
latter  da^s.  There  can  be  no  truly  Gospel  church  in 
which  theii  ministrations  are  not  recognized. 


ANGEL  OF   THE  LORD. 


Gen.  16.  7  an  angel  of  the  Lord  found  Hagar  by  a  fountain. 

28,  12  angels  of  God  ascended  and  descended. 

Exo.  14.  19  the  angel  of  God,  which  went  before  the  camp  ot 
Israel,  removed  and  went  behind  them. 

Judges  2.  4  when  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  these  words  to 
tne  children  of  Israel. 

6.  11  there  came  an  angel  of  the  Lord,  and  sat  under  an  oak. 

12  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  Gideon. 

13.  3  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  the  mother  of  Samson. 

2  Kings  19.  35  the  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  and  killed  185,000  of 
the  Assyrians. 

1  Chron.  22.  12  the  angel  of  the  Lord  destroying  throughout  all 
the  coasts  of  Israel. 

30  David  was  afraid  because  ot  the  sword  of  the  angel  of  the 
Lord. 

Psalm  34.  7  the  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them 
that  tear  him. 

Matt.  28.  2  the  angel  of  the  Lord  rolled  back  the  stone  from 
the  door. 

Luke  2.  8,  9  the  angel  of  the  Lord  came  upon  the  shepherds. 

Acts  5.  19  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  by  night,  opened  the  prison 
doors. 

8.  20  the  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  unto  Phillip. 

12.  23  the  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  Herod. 

27.  23  there  stood  by  me,  this  night,  the  angel  of  God. 

Book  of  piormon. 

1  Nephi  3.  29  as  they  smote  us  with  a  rod,  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
?tood  before  them. 


238  ANGELS. 

3Ios.  27.  11—18  the  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to'  Alma  and 
the  sons  of  Mosiah. 

Alma  9.  25  that  ye  may  not  be  destroyed,  the  Lord  hath  sent 
his  angel . 

10.  7—11  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  me  and  said,  Am- 
ulek! 

24.  14  in  his  mercy  he  visits  us  by  his  angels. 

Jlel.  5.  11  he  hath  sent  his  angels  to  declare  the  conditions  of 
repentance. 

14.  2()  angel  said  to  me,  there  should  be  thunderings  and  light- 
nings for  many  hours.  28. 

Sec.  Go.  54  in  that  day  will  I  send  mine  angels  to  pluck  out  the 
wicked. 

103.  19,  20  I  say  not  to  you  as  I  said  to  your  fathers;  mine  angel 
shall  go  before  you. 


MINISTERING   ANGELS. 


Book  of  JHormoTT. 

Jacob  7.  17  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  ministering  ol 
angels. 

Moroni  7.  25  by  ministering  of  angels,  men  began  to  exercise 
faith  in  Christ.  2j,  CO. 


Soctn'iu  aiiiJ  €^obcitaiit5. 

Sec.  7.  G,  7  I  will  make  him  as  a  flaming  fire  and  a  ministering 
angel. 

4o.  25  called  on  you  by  my  servants,  and  the  ministering  of 
angels. 

67.  13  not  able  to  abide  the  presence  of  God,  neither  the  minis- 
tering of  angels. 

7(1.  88  tlie  telestial  receive  it  of  the  ministering  of  angels. 

132.  IG  but  are  appointed  angels  in  heaven,  which  are  minis- 
tering servants.    17—20. 

loG.  37  whom  I  did  call  upon  by  mine  angels,  my  ministering 
servants. 


JHiHccIIaucous  ^Qassacjcs. 

Gcii.  19.  1  there  came  two  angels  lo  Sodom  at  even. 


ANGELS.  239 

48.  IG  the  angel  -wliich  redeemed  me  from  all  evil  bless  the 
lad^. 

Exo.  23.  20  I  send  an  angel  before  thee,  to  keep  thee  in  the 
way. 

Num.  20.  16  sent  an  angel  and  bronght  ns  out  of  Egypt. 

2  Sam.  21.  IG  when  the  angel  stretched  out  liis  hand  upon  Jeru- 
salem to  destroy  it. 

1  Aings  19.  5  an  angel  touched  Elijah  and  said,  arise  and  eat. 

2  Chron.  32.  21  Lord  sent  an  angel  which  cut  off  all  the  mighty 
men. 

Psalm  8.  5  man  made  a  little  lower  tli.in  the  angels.  Heh.  2.  7, 9. 

68.  17  the  chariots  of  God  are  twenty  thousand,  even  thousands 
of  angels. 

78.  25  man  did  eat  angels'  food. 

Dan.  9.  21  Gabriel  touched  Daniel  about  the  time  of  the  eve- 
ning oblation.  10.  4—14,20,21. 

MaU.  4.  11  angels  came  and  ministered  to  Christ. 

13.  39  the  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world :  the  reapers  are  the 
angels.  49. 

18.  10  their  angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my  Father. 

24.  36  of  that  day  knoweth  no  man,  no,  not  the  angels  of 
heaven. 

25.  31  Son  of  Man  shall  come,  and  all  the  holy  angels  Avith 
him. 

23.  53  he  shall  presently  give  me  more  than  twelve  legions  of 
angels. 

Mark  8,  38  when  he  cometh  in  the  glory  of  the  Father,  with 
the  holy  angels.    Luke  9.  2G. 

12.  25  nor  are  given  in  marriage,  but  are  as  the  angels. 

TAike  1.  19  the  angel  said  tc  Zacharias,  1  am  Gabriel,  that  stand 
ih  the  presence  of  God. 

2G  the  angel  Gabriel  was  sent  from  God  to  a  city  of  Galilee. 

16.  22  was  carried  by  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom. 

22.  43  there  appeared  on  angel  to  Jesus,  strcngtliening  Inm. 

Acts  7.  53  wlio  received  tlie  law  by  dispensation  of  angels 

10  .22  was  warned  from  God,  by  an  holy  anoel,to  send  for  thee. 

Rom.  8.  38  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  lile,  nor 
angels, 

1  Oy)\  6.  3  know  ye  not  that  we  shall  judge  angels? 

Gal.  1.  8  though  we  or  an  angel  from  heaven  preach  any  other 
Gospel. 

2  Thess.  1.  7  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  his 
mighty  angels. 

1  Tim.  5.  21  I  charge  thee  before  God  and  the  elect  angels. 
Ilcb.  1,  4  being  made  so  much  better  than  tlie  angels.  7. 
2.  5  for  unto  the  angels  hath  he  not  put  in  suljjection  the  world 
to  come?  10. 

12.  22  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable  com- 
pany of  angels. 

13.  2  not  forgetful  to  entertain  strangers, for  thereby  some  ha\e 
entorttiincd  angels  unawares. 

Itcv.  5.  2  saw  a  strong  angel  proclaiming,  who  is  wortliy  to 
open  tlie  book.  11.  Chap.  7.  1.  Chap.  8.  3.  Chap,  10.  1,  5—10. 
Chap.W.  15.     Chap.  VI.  7. 

14.  6  1  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having 
the  everlasting  Gospel  to  preach  to  them   that  dwell  on  the 


240  ANGELS. 

earth.  8, 10, 15.    CMp.  15.  6.  7.    Chap.  17.  1.    Chap.  18.  1,  21.    Chap 
19.17. 

21.  12  had  twelve  gates,  and  at  the  gates  twelve  angels.  17. 

33ofife  of  JHormott. 

1  Nephi  13.  40  the  angel  said,  these  last  records  shall  establish 
the  truth  of  the  first. 

19.  8  he  Cometh  according  to  the  words  of  the  angel,  six  hun- 
dred years  from  the  time  my  father  left  Jerusalem.  10. 

2  Nephi  6.  9  scourge  and  crucify  him,  according  to  the  words  ol 
the  angel.  11. 

10.  3  the  last  night  the  angel  said  he  should  be  called  Christ. 
25.  19. 

32.  2,  3  angels  speak  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Alrria  9.  21  having  been  visited  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  having 
conversed  with  angels.  12.  29. 

13.  22  the  Lord,  by  the  mouth  of  angels,  doth  declare  it  to  all 
nations.  24—26. 

29.  1  Oh,  that  1  were  an  angel,  that  I  might  cry  repentance  to 
every  people. 

32.  23  now  he  imparteth  his  words,  by  angels,  unto  men,  women 
and  children. 

Hel.  16.  14  angels  appeared  to  wise  men  and  declared  unto 
them  glad  tidings  of  great  joy. 

3  Nephi  7.  18  so  great  was  the  faith  of  Nephi,  that  angels  minis- 
tered unto  him  daily. 

17.  24  they  saw  angels  descending  out  of  heaven  and  encircling 
the  little  ones. 


J9ottrme  attb  (3^oi)jeixant5. 

Sec.  38.  12  the  angels  are  waiting  the  great  command  to  reap 
down  the  earth. 

88.  92  and  angels  shall  fly  through  the  midst  of  heaven  sound- 
ing the  trump  of  God.  96—107. 

112  Michael,  the  seventh  angel,  shall  gather  together  his 
armies 

128.  20  Moroni,  an  angel  from  heaven,  declaring  the  fulfilment 
of  the  prophets. 

129.  1  angels  are  resurrected  personages,  having  bodies  of 
flesh  and  bones.  5. 

130.  4—7  no  angels  minister  to  this  earth  but  those  that  belong 
to  it. 


^tarl  M  (Krtat  prtct. 

Page  9.  after  many  days  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to 
Adam. 

12.  the  Gospel  was  preached  from  the  beginning,  being  declared 
by  angels. 

27.  the  angel  of  the  Lord's  presence  stood  by  Abraham. 


ANGELS.  241 

29.  thou  didst  send  thine  angel  to  deliver  me  from  the  gods  of 
Elkanah. 

38.  who  Cometh  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  the  holy  angels 
with  him. 

40.  he  shall  send  his  angels  before  him  with  the  sound  of  a 
trumpet.  ^^    _  ■*    ._^, 

JPsalm  78.  49  he  cast  ui)on  them  the  fierceness  of  his  "^vfttCT 
Indignation  and  trouble,  by  sending  evil  angels  among  them. 

Matt.  25.  41  depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire, 
prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels. 

2  Cor.  11.  14  for  Satan,  himself,  is  transformed  Into  an  angel  of 
light. 

2  Petei'  2.  4  if  God  spared  not  the  angels  that  sinned,  but  cast 
them  down  to  hell. 

Jude  6.  angels  which  kept  not  their  first  estate  he  hath  reserved 
in  everlasting  chains,  under  darkness,  unto  the  judgment  of  the 
great  day. 

Rev,  9.  11  a  king  over  them,  which  is  the  angel  of  the  bottomless 
pit. 

12.  9  the  great  dragon  was  cast  out,  and  his  angels  with  him. 

Book  of  JHormoit. 

2  Nephi  2.  17  must  needs  suppose  that  an  angel  of  God  fell  from 
heaven. 

9.  8  our  spirits  must  be  subject  to  that  angel  who  fell.  16, 

Jacob  3.  11  that  they  majr  not  become  angels  to  the  devil. 

Mos.  2C\  27  shall  depart  into  everlasting  fire  prepared  for  the 
devil  and  his  angels. 

Alma  30,  53  hath  deceived  me,  for  he  appeared  in  the  form  of 
an  angel. 

8  Nephi  9.  2  the  devil  laugheth.  and  his  angels  rejoice,  because 
of  the  slain. 

Moroni  7.  17  neither  do  the  devil  nor  his  angels  persuade  men 
to  do  good— no,  not  one. 

^Qtixinz  anil  (S^ohm^ntg. 

Sec.  29.  28  depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire  pre* 
pared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  87. 

76.  33  vessels  of  wrath,  doomed  to  suffer  with  the  devil  and  his 
angels.  44. 

128.  20  Michael  detecting  the  devil  when  he  appeared  as  an 
angel  of  Hght.  Sec.  129   8. 
17 


242  THE   SABBATH   DAY. 


THE   SABBATH    DAY. 


In  the  history  of  creation,  as  given  in  the  Bible 
Genesis,  we  find  that  the  Lord  commenced  and  ended 
the  labor  of  creating  the  world  in  six  days  or  periods 
of  time.  That  also,  he  ceased  his  labors  on  the  sev- 
sjnth  day  and  devoted  it  to  rest. 

As  we  have  shown  in  the  article  on  pre-existence, 
m  this  work,  these  seven  periods  of  creative  time 
were  occupied  in  the  creation  and  perfection  of  spir- 
itual organizations.  These  have  since  given  life  to 
the  organizations  formed  out  of  the  crude  .elements, 
from  which  all  animal  and  vegetable  life  is  formed. 

When  Adam  was  formed  out  of  these  elements, 
and  the  Lord  made  every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the 
sight,  and  good  for  food,  to  grow  out  of  the  ground, 
another  series  of  creative  days,  or  periods  of  time, 
commenced.  The  six  days  of  labor,  which,  accord* 
ing  to  present  reckoning,  is  supposed  to  be  about  six 
thousand  years,  has  nearly  passed  away. 

The  Christian  world  anticipate  the  time  when  an- 
tagonisms will  cease,  and  there  will  be  a  time  of  uni- 
versal peace,  called  the  Millennium.  While  the 
Christian  sects  may  entertain  various  theories  as  to 
how  this  millennium  will  be  brought  about,  and  what 
will  be  its  practical  results,  to  the  Latter-day  Saints 
it  assumes  a  well  defined  outline,  as  dehneated  in  the 
sacred  books. 

Typical  of  these  great,  creative  sabbaths,  the 
Lord  has  commanded  man  to  rest  every  seventh  day, 
according  to  his  reckoning,  as  measured  by  one  rev- 
olution of  the  earth  on  its  axis.  The  sabbafh  was 
instituted  for  man's  especial  benefit,  for  the  Savior, 
when  on  the  earth,  declared  that  ''The  sabbath  was 
made  for  man,  and  not  man  for  the  sabbath;"  Mark 
2.  27. 

There  is  nothing  to  indicate  that  the  sabbath  was 
a  new  institution  at  the  time  Israel  came  out  of  Egypt, 


THE   SABBATH    DAY.  243 

but,  being  the  beginning  of  a  new  dispensation,  the 
institution  was  strengthened  by  direct  commandment. 
In  about  one  month  after  their  deliverance  from 
Egypt,  when  the  Lord  had  commenced  to  feed  them 
on  manna,  they  were  commanded  to  gather  on  the 
sixth  day  enough  for  the  seventh  day  also.  This  ob- 
viated the  necessity  of  gathering  food  on  the  sab- 
bath, for  the  Lord  said,  *'To-morrow  is  the  rest  of  the 
holy  sabbath  unto  the  Lord;"  Exo.  16.  23. 

In  the  third  month  after  Israel  came  out  of  Egypt, 
amidst  a  wonderful  display  of  his  glory  and  power 
upon  Mount  Sinai,  the  Lord  gave  to  Israel  ten  com- 
mandments, one  of  which  was,  "Remember  the  sab- 
bath day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor, 
and  do  all  thy  work:  but  the  seventh  is  the  sabbath 
of  the  Lord  thy  God:  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 
work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man- 
servant, nor  thy  maidservant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy 
stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates:  for  in  six  days  the 
Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in 
them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day:  wherefore  the 
Lord  blessed  the  sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it;" 
20.  8 — II.  This  commandment  is  very  sweeping  and 
comprehensive,  and  the  Lord  makes  it  typical  of  the 
creative,  sabbatic  period  of  time. 

In  the  Pentateuch  the  passages  are  quite  numer- 
ous in  which  the  children  of  Israel  are  reminded  of 
the  importance  of  keeping  this  commandment.  The 
importance  of  keeping  the  sabbath  day  holy  is  urged 
upon  Israel  in  the  following  passage,  if  possible,  with 
still  more  force  than  in  the  Decalogue:  *'And  the 
Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  Speak  thou  also  unto 
the  children  of  Israel,  sayingj  Verily  my  sabbaths  ye 
shall  keep:  for  it  is  a  sign  between  me  and  you 
throughout  your  generations;  that  ye  may  know  that 
I  am  the  Lord  that  doth  sanctify  you;"  31.  12 — 18. 

A  very  important  feature  of  this  subject  is  ex- 
pressed in  the  last  verse.  The  keeping  of  the  sab- 
bath day  was  to  be  a  sign  throughout  the  generations 
of  Israel,  that  the  people  continually  remembered 
that  It  was  the  Lord  that  sanctified  them  through 
keeping  his  commandments. 


244  THE   SABBATH   DAY, 

In  verse  14,  the  Lord  says,  "Ye  shall  keep  the 
sabbath  therefore;  for  it  is  holy  unto  you.  Every 
one  that  defileth  it  shall  surely  be  put  to  death:  for 
whosoever  doeth  any  work  therein,  that  soul  shall 
be  cut  off  from  among  his  people."  The  command  is 
repeated  in  a  little  different  form  in  verse  15. 

The  sabbath  was  to  be  a  perpetual  covenant  be- 
tween the  Lord  and  the  children  of  Israel.  *^Where- 
fore  the  children  of  Israel  shall  keep  the  sabbath,  to 
observe  the  sabbath  throughout  their  generations, 
for  a  perpetual  covenant;'"  verse  16.  In  verse  17 
they  are  commanded  to  observe  it  as  a  sign  that  they 
remember  that  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  and 
rested  on  the  seventh  day. 

In  these  quotations  ixoxiiExo.  31,  and  in  the  Deca- 
logue the  most  positive  and  weighty  reasons  are  given 
by  the  Lord  to  the  fathers  of  the  house  of  Israel,  for 
keeping  the  sabbath  day.  The  obligation  is  evident- 
ly as  binding  upon  the  Latter-day  Saints  as  it  was 
upon  their  fathers,  and  they  in  hke  manner  will  reap 
the  reward  of  obedience. 

Israel  was  also  required  to  give  the  land  rest.  "Six 
years  thou  shalt  sow  thy  field,  and  six  years  thou  shalt 

Erune  thy  vineyard,  and  gather  in  the  fruit  thereof; 
ut  in  the  seventh  year  shall  be  a  sabbath  of  rest 
unto  the  land,  a  sabbath  for  the  Lord:  thou  shalt 
neither  sow  thy  field,  nor  prune  thy  vineyard;"  Lev, 
25.  3,  4.  After  seven  sabbaths  of  years  had  been 
numbered,  making  forty-nine  years,  then  the  fiftieth 
year  was  to  be  a  year  of  Jubilee.  This  was  a  year 
of  general  release  from  all  bondage.  "And  ye 
shall  hallow  the  fiftieth  year,  and  proclaim  liberty 
throughout  all  the  land  unto  all  the  inhabitants  there- 
of: it  shall  be  a  jubilee  unto  you ;  and  ye  shall  return 
every  man  unto  his  possession,  and  ye  shall  return 
every  man  unto  his  family;"  verse  10.  Both  the 
forty-ninth  and  fiftieth  were  years  of  rest  for  the  land. 
This  chapter  should  be  well  studied  for  information 
with  regard  to  the  sabbatic  year. 

The  Lord,  in  his  revelations  through  his  prophet 
Joseph,  has  commanded  the  saints  to  keep  the  sab- 
oath  day  holy.     "For  verily  this  is  a  day  appointed 


THE   SABBATH   DAY.  245 

unto  you  to  rest  from  your  labors,  and  to  pay  thy  de- 
votions unto  the  Most' High.  *  *  *■  And 
on  this  day  thou  shalt  do  none  other  thing,  only  let 
thy  food  be  prepared  with  singleness  of  neart  that 
thy  fasting  may  be  perfect,  or,  in  other  words,  that 
thy  joy  may  be  full;"  Doc.  &r>  Gov.,  59.  10,  13.  In 
verse  15 — 17,  great  blessings  are  promised  as  the 
result  of  keeping  this  commandment.  To  keep  the 
sabbath  holy  is  again  positively  enjoined  upon  the 
saints  "And  the  inhabitants  of  Zion  shall,  also,  ob- 
serve the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy;"  sec,  68.  29. 

Lev.  19.  3  shall  fear  every  man  his  father  and  mother,  and  keep 
my  sabbaths.  30. 

26.  34  then  shall  the  land  enjoy  her  sabbaths  as  long  as  it  is 
desolate. 

Num.  15.  32—36  a  young  man  stoned  for  breaking  the  sabbath. 

Neh.  10.  31  the  people  covenanted  not  to  buy  victuals  on  the 
sabbath. 

13.  15 — 22  Nehemiah  sharply  reproved  the  people  for  laboring 
on  the  sabbath. 

Isa.  56.  2  blessed  is  the  man  that  keepeth  the  sabbath. 

3—7  the  eunuch  and  the  stranger  that  keep  the  sabbath  shall 
be  blessed. 

58.  13, 14  great  blessings  promised  to  those  who  keep  the  sab- 
bath. Jer.  17.  21—27. 

Sam.  2.  6  caused  the  solemn  feasts  and  sabbaths  to  be  forgotter 
in  Zion. 

Ezek.  20.  12  I  gave  my  sabbaths  to  be  a  sign  between  me  an<r 
them. 

22.  26  have  hid  their  eyes  from  my  sabbaths. 

Matt.  12.  8  for  the  Son  of  man  is  Lord  even  o-^  the  sabbath. 

10—12  lawful  to  do  good  on  the  sabbath  d».y. 


246  ISRAEL   A   CHOSEN    PEOPLE. 


ISRAEL  A  CHOSEN   PEOPLE. 


The  name,  Israel,  is  used  to  desi'ojnate  the  descen- 
dants of  Abraham  through  Isaac  his  son,  and  Jacob 
his  grandson.  The  Lord  gave  the  name  to  Jacob  the 
father  of  twelve  sons,  the  heads  of  the  tribes  of 
Israel.  **And  God  appeared  unto  Jacob  again,  when 
he  came  out  of  Padan-aram,  and  blessed  him.  And 
God  said  unto  him,  thy  name  is  Jacob:  thy  name 
shall  not  be  called  any  more  Jacob,  but  Israel  shall 
be  thy  name;  and  he  called  his  name  Israel;"  Gen. 
35.  9,  10. 

Abraham  was  a  direct  descendant  of  Shem,  the 
son  of  Noah,  and  his  native  land  was  Ur  of  the 
Chaldees;  chap,  11.  "Now  the  Lord  said  unto 
Abram,  Get  thee  out  of  thy  country,  and  from  thy 
kindred,  and  from  thy  father's  house,  unto  a  land  that 
I  will  shew  thee:  and  I  will  make  of  thee  a  great 
nation,  and  I  will  bless  thee,  and  make  thy  name 
great;  and  thou  shalt  be  a  blessing:  and  I  will  bless 
them  that  bless  thee,  and  curse  him  that  curseth 
thee:  and  in  thee  shall  all  families  of  the  earth  be 
blessed;"  12.  i — 3. 

The  promise  to  Abram,  that  he  should  become  a 
great  nation,  has  been  fulfilled  in  his  chosen  seed 
occupying  the  land  of  Palestine,  as  such,  for  fifteen 
hundred  years.  It  will  again  be  fulfilled  when  they 
become  a  nation  on  that  land  forever. 

The  history  of  the  eastern  hemisphere  for  the 
two  thousand  years  which  intervened  between  the 
calling  of  Abraham  and  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem 
by  the  Romans,  witnesses  that  every  nation  that 
fought  against  Israel,  or  in  any  way  oppressed  them, 
passed  away.  Time  will  show  the  same  general  re- 
sult, from  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  to  the  millen- 
nium. 


ISRAEL  A  CHOSEN  PEOPLE.  247 

The  prophet  Isaiah,  speaking  of  the  time  when 
the  Lord  should  favor  Israel,  said,  **All  they  that 
were  incensed  against  thee  shall  be  ashamed  and 
confounded:  they  shall  be  as  nothing;  and  they  that 
strive  with  thee  shall  perish;"  41.  11.  '-l  will  feed 
them  that  oppress  thee  with  their  own  flesh;  and  they 
shall  be  drunken  with  their  own  blood;"  49.  26.  "I 
have  taken  out  of  thine  hand  the  cup  of  trembling, 
even  the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  my  fury;  thou  shalt  no 
more  drink  it  again:  but  I  will  put  it  into  the  hand 
of  them  that  afflict  thee;  which  have  said  to  thy 
soul,  Bow  down,  that  we  may  go  over;"  51.  22,  23. 

The  first  Nephi  saw  the  final  result,  as  between 
Israel  and  their  enemies,  some  six  hundred  years 
before  the  birth  of  our  Savior.  Speaking  ot  the 
time  when  they  should  be  brought  out  of  captivity, 
and  gathered  to  the  lands  of  their  inheritance,  he 
says,  "And  the  blood  of  that  great  and  abominable 
church,  which  is  the  whore  of  all  the  earth,  shall 
turn  upon  their  own  heads;  for  they  shall  war 
among  themselves,  and  the  sword  of  their  own  hands 
shall  fall  upon  their  own  heads,  and  they  shall  be 
drunken  with  their  own  blood.  And  every  nation 
which  shall  war  against  thee,  O  house  of  Israel,  shall 
be  turned  one  against  another,  and  they  shall  fall  into 
the  pit  which  they  digged  to  ensnare  the  people  of 
the  Lord;"  i  Nephi  11,  13,  14. 

The  sacred  and  profane  history  of  the  world 
evidences  that  all  people,  outside  of  the  covenant 
seed  of  Abraham,  when  brought  into  association 
with  that  seed,  have  exhibited  an  instinctive  antagon- 
ism to  them.  As  a  result,  there  are  few  nations  that 
have  not  oppressed  tljjfem,  when  there  has  been  op- 
portunity. 

The  quotations  made  on  this  subject,  and  many 
more  not  noticed,  show  that  Israel  will  rule  over  all 
these  in  the  future.  As  a  result  the  future  prin^ss  of 
the  earth  will  be  of  that  lineage.  Then  will  be  ful- 
nlled  another  very  important  promise  which  the  Lord 
made  to  Abraham:  *^Thy  seed  shall  possess  the  gate 
of  his  enemies;"  Gen,  22.  17. 

The  promise  in  the  following,  verse  18,  which  is 


248   '  '   fSRAEL  A   CHOSEN   PEOPLE. 

also  repeated  in  a  number  of  places  in  the  sacred 
writings,  is  a  very  important  one:  "  In  thy  seed  shall 
all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  blessed."  It  was 
through  the  lineage  of  Abraham  that  Jesus  came  in 
the  flesh  to  redeem  the  world.  It  was  only  to  the 
seed  of  Abraham  that  he  personally  ministered  while 
in  the  flesh. 

He  was  born  in  Bethlehem  of  Judea,  almost  under 
the  walls  of  Jerusalem;  Luke^  chap.  2.  He  grew  up 
in  Nazareth,  a  city  of  Galilee;  verse  39.  He  was 
baptized  in  Jordan,  the  chief  river  of  the  land  of 
promise;  Matt.  3.  13.  His  chosen  twelve  disciples 
were  of  the  house  of  Israel.  They  were  sent  first  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  house  of  Israel:  ^'These 
twelve  Jesus  sent  forth,  and  commanded  them,  say- 
ing, Go  not  into  the  way  of  Gentiles,  and  into  any 
city  of  the  Samaritans  enter  ye  not:  but  go  rather 
to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel;"  Matt.  10. 

5,6. 

All  the  labors  of  Christ's  earthly  mission  were  in 
the  midst  of  Israel.  Among  them  he  was  slain  for 
the  sins  of  the  world;  his  body  was  laid  in  a  tomb 
cut  in  the  rock  of  the  promised  land;  in  the  midst  of 
those  with  whose  fathers  he  had  covenanted  he 
ascended  up  to  his  Father. 

After  his  resurrection  he  told  his  disciples  that 
Christ  must  needs  suffer  and  rise  from  the  dead, 
'*That  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  beginning  at 
Jerusalem;"  Liike  i\.  47. 

So  necessary  did  Jesus  consider  it,  that  the  bless- 
ings and  power  of  the  Gospel  should  go  forth  to  the 
world  from  the  house  of  Israel,  that  just  before  his 
ascension  he  commanded  his  disciples,  "Tarry  ye 
in  the  city  of  Jerusalem,  until  ye  be  endued  with 
power  from  on  high;"  verse  49. 

Jesus  once  said  to  his  Jewish  disciples,  "  Other 
sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  this  fold:  them  also  I 
must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice ;  and  there 
shall  be  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd;"  John  10.  16. 
While  ministering  among  the  Nephites,  after  his 
resurrection,  he  told  them  what  he  had  said  to  his 


ISRAEL  A   CHOSEN   PEOPLE.  249 

disciples  at  Jerusalem,  and  also  that  they  were  the 
other  sheep  which  he  referred  to. 

He  further  said  to  the  Nephites,  "And  they  (that 
is  his  disciples  at  Jerusalem)  understood  me  not,  for 
they  supposed  it  had  been  the  Gentiles;  for  they 
understand  not  that  the  Gentiles  should  be  convertea 
through  their  preaching;       *  *     and  they  under- 

stand me  not  that  the  Gentiles  should  not  at  any 
time  hear  my  voice;  that  I  should  not  manifest  my- 
self unto  them,  save  it  were  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
But  behold,  ye  have  both  heard  my  voice,  and  seen 
me;"  -^  Nephi  \^,  22 — 24. 

In  another  place  the  Lord  told  the  Nephites  how 
the  promise  to  Abraham,  **  In  thy  seed  shall  all  the 
kindreds  of  the  earth  be  blessed,"  would  be  fulfilled. 
"And  after  that  ye  were  blessed,  then  fulfilleth  the 
Father  the  covenant  which  he  made  with  Abraham, 
saying,  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth 
be  blessed,  unto  the  pouring  out  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
through  me  upon  the  Gentiles;"  20.  27. 

Thus  we  are  assured  that  Jesus  never  has  minis- 
tered in  person  to  the  Gentiles,  and  there  are  no 
promises  for  the  future  to  them  which  involve  such 
administration.  In  this  dispensation,  all  the  bless- 
ings of  the  everlasting  Gospel  have  been  restored  to 
the  earth,  through  the  agency  of  the  house  of  Israel. 
Of  them  a  people  will  be  prepared,  and  through  them 
a  kingdom  will  be  established,  over  which  the  Savior 
will  reign  on  the  earth.  Then  Israel  will  be  the  head 
of  nations,  and  the  promise  made  to  Abraham,  "Thy 
seed  shall  possess  the  gate  of  his  enemies,"  will 
fully  be  realized. 

For  further  information  on  this  subject  see  the 
following  subjects  in  this  work:  Gathering  of 
Israel^  Apostacy  of  the  Primitive  Churchy  and 
Millennial  Reign, 

E'm.  3.  6  1  am  the  God  of  thy  fathers  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob. 

15  this  is  my  name  forever,  and  my  memorial  unto  all  grenera^ 
tions. 


250  ISRAEL   A   CHOSEN   PEOPLE. 

6.  7  will  take  you  to  me  for  a  people,  and  will  be  to  you  a  God. 
19.  5  ye  shall  be  a  peculiar  treasure  unto  me  Jibove  all  people. 
6  ye  shall  be  to  me  a  kingdom  of  priests  and  an  holy  nation. 

23.  22  I  will  be  an  enemy  unto  thine  enemies,  and  an  adver- 
sary unto  thine  adversaries. 

29.  45  I  will  dwell  among  the  children  of  Israel,  and  be  their 
God. 

Num.  6.  27  they  shall  put  my  name  upon  Israel,  and  I  will 
bless  them. 

24.  9  blessed  is  he  that  blesseth  thee,  and  cursed  is  he  that  curs- 
eth  thee. 

Deut.  7.  15  I  will  lay  them  on  all  them  that  hate  thee. 

26.  18, 19  to  make  thee  high  above  all  nations,  and  an  holy 
people. 

27.  9  this  day  thou  art  become  the  people  of  the  Lord  thy  God. 
2  Chron.  9.  8  because  the  Lord  loved  Israel,  to  establish  them 

forever. 

Psalm  105.  6  ye  seed  of  Abraham,  his  servant,  ye  children  of 
Jacob,  his  chosen. 

ia5.  4  Lord  hath  chosen  Jacob  for  himself,  and  Israel  for  his 
peculiar  treasure. 

137.  8,  9  O  Babylon,  happy  shall  he  be  that  rewardeth  thee  as 
thou  hast  served  us. 

Isa.  10.  5 — 19  Assyria  to  be  taken  and  destroyed, 

14.  2  they  shall  take  them  captives  whose  captives  they  were. 

29.  7,  8  all  the  nations  that  fight  against  Ariel  shall  be  as  a 
dream. 

41.  8  Jacob,  whom  I  have  chosen,  the  seed  of  Abraham,  my 
friend.  9. 

43.  10  my  witnesses,  saith  the  Lord,  and  my  servant  whom  I 
have  chosen.  20. 

45.  4  Israel,  mine  elect,  I  have  even  called  thee  by  name. 

49.  24.  25  even  the  captives  of  the  mighty  shall  be  taken  away. 

26  I  will  feed  them  that  oppress  thee  on  their  own  fle^h. 

54.  15  whosoever  shall  gather  against  thee  shall  fall.  17. 

Je)\  2.  3  all  that  devour  him  shall  offend ;  evil  shall  consume 
upon  them. 

10.  25  pour  out  thy  fury  on  the  heathen,  for  they  have  eaten  up 
Jacob. 

30.  11  though  I  make  a  full  end  of  all  nations  whither  I  have 
scattered  thee,  I  will  not  make  a  fall  end  of  thee.  16,  24. 

Heb.  8.  10  I  will  be  to  them  a  God,  and  they  shall  be  to  me  a 
people. 


SriRlTS  IN   PRISON.  251 


SPIRITS    IN   PRISON. 


The  writings  of  every  dispensation  of  the  Priest- 
Lood  evidence  that  the  Creator  provided  a  place  of 
confinement  or  retendon,  where  intelhgences  await 
future  events  concerning  themselves. 

Several  hundred  years  before  the  flood,  the  Lord, 
speakifig  to  Enoch  concerning  the  wicked,  said: 
*'  Behold,  these  which  thine  eyes  are  upon  shall 
perish  in  the  floods;  and  behold,  I  will  shut  them  up; 
a  prison  have  I  prepared  for  them;'*  P,  of  G.  /*., 
page  20. 

The  idea  of  a  pit  or  prison  for  man,  appears  to 
have  been  quite  definite  in  the  mind  of  Job;  speaking 
of  God's  dealings  with  man,  he  says,  ^'He  keepelh 
back  his  soul  trom  the  pit,  and  his  life  from  perish- 
ing by  the  sword;"  33.  18. 

The  Psalmist  David  called  this  place  hell  or 
place  of  departed  spirits,  for  he  said  of  the  Lord, 
*'  Thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell;"  Psalm  16.  10. 
The  latter  part  ot  the  passage  evidences  that  he  was 
looking  forward  to  the  resurrection  ot  Christ,  to  open 
the  way  for  his  release,  "Neither  wilt  thou  suffer 
thine  Holy  One  to  see  corruption." 

Speaking  ot  the  latter  times,  the  Lord  said, 
through  the  prophet  Isaiah,  "  P>ar,  and  the  pit,  and 
the  snare,  are  upon  thee,  O  inhabitant  of  the 
earth.  *  *  *  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
in  that  day,  that  the  Lord  shall  punish  the  host  of 
the  high  ones  that  are  on  high,  and  the  kings  of  the 
the  earth  upon  the  earth.  And  they  shall  be 
gathered  together,  as  prisoners  are  gathered  in  the 
pit,  and  shall  be  shut  up  in  the  prison,  and  after  many 
days  shall  they  be  visited;"  24.  17,  21,  22.  This 
passage  from  Isaiah  is  very  definite  on  this  subject. 
The  assertion,    "After    many    days   shall    they  be 


252  SPIRITS    IN    PRISON. 

visited,"  certainly  infers  that  a  time  would  come 
when  they  might  be  released. 

The  Lord  speaking  of  another  person  says,  "  I 
the  Lord  have  called  thee  in  righteousness,  and  will 
hold  thine  hand,  and  will  keep  thee,  and  will  give 
thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  people,  for  a  hght  of  the 
Gentiles."  The  following  verse  shows  that  the  Lord 
would  call  and  keep  this  servant  of  his  for  a  special 
work,  and  that  was,  "  To  open  the  blind  eyes,  to 
bring  out  the  prisoners  from  the  prison,  and  them 
that  sit  in  darkness  out  of  the  prison  house;"  42.  6,  7. 
This  passage  explains  how  those  who  would  be 
gathered  as  prisoners  into  the  pit,  and  be  shut  up  in 
prison,  were  to  be  visited  after  many  days.  Ot  simi- 
lar import  is  Isa.  49.  5 — 9. 

The  apostle  Peter  was  evidently  quite  familar  with 
this  subject:  "For  Christ  also  hath  once  suftered  lor 
sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us  to 
God,  being  put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  quickened 
by  the  Spirit:  by  which  also  he  went  and  preached 
unto  the  spirits  in  prison;  which  sometime  were  dis- 
obedient, when  once  the  long  suffering  of  God  waited 
in  the  days  of  Noah,  while  the  ark  was  a  preparing;" 
I  Pet.  3.  18 — 20.  The  Nephite,  as  well  as  the  Jewish 
prophets,  speak  of  a  place  of  confinement  for  spirits; 
"  Wherefore,  death  and  hell  must  deliver  up  their 
dead,  and  hell  must  deliver  up  its  captive  spirits,  and 
the  grave  must  deliver  up  its  captive  bodies,  and  the 
bodies  and  the  spirits  of  men  will  be  restored  one  to 
the  other;"  2  Nephic^.  12., 

These  spirits,  which  are  delivered  frqm  hell,  are 
not  the  spirits  of  the  righteous,  for,  in  the  thirteenth 
verse  of  the  same  chapter,  the  prophet  says,  "  For 
on  the  other  hand,  the  paradise  of  God  must  deliver 
up  the  spirits  of  the  righteous." 

These  passages  show  us  that  the  spirits  of  the 
wicked  go  to  a  prison,  or  hell,  and  the  spirits  of  the 
righteous  to  the  paradise  of  God,  a  place  of  light 
and  freedom.  Doubtless  it  was  the  same  paradise 
which  Jesus  referred  to,  when  he  said  to  the  thief  on 
the  cross,  "  To-day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  para- 
dise;" Luke  2^.  43, 


SPTRITS   IN   PRISON.  253 

The  Lord  said,  in  a  revelation  to  the  prophet 
Joseph,  **  I  am  the  same  which  have  taken  the  Zion 
of  Enoch  into  mine  own  bosom ;  and  verily,  I  say, 
even  as  many  as  have  believed  in  my  name.  *  *  * 
But  behold,  the  residue  of  the  wicked  have  I  kept 
in  chains  of  darkness  until  the  judgment  of  the 
great  day,  which  shall  come  at  the  end  of  the  earth; 
and  even  so  will  1  cause  the  wicked  to  be  kept,  that 
will  not  hear  my  voice  but  harden  their  hearts;" 
Doc,  (St*  Cov.  38.  4—^. 

This  subject  is  still  more  fully  explained  in 
another  revelation,  through  Joseph,  the  Seer.  After 
the  Lord  instructed  him  concerning  the  first  resur- 
rection he  says,  ^'And  after  this  another  angel  shall 
sound,  which  is  the  second  trump;  and  then  cometh 
the  redemption  of  those  who  are  Christ's  at^  his 
coming;  who  have  received  their  part  in  that  prison 
which  is  prepared  for  them,  that  they  might  receive 
the  Gospel,  and  be  judged  according  to  men  in  the 
flesh;"  88.  99.  This  verse  informs  us  that  when 
Christ  comes  there  will  be  a  class  of  spirits  who  will 
be  redeemed  from  prison,  because  they  will  have 
paid  the  penalty  of  transgression,  and  will  have  ac- 
cepted the  Gospel  which  will  have  been  preached  to 
them  in  prison. 

After  the  spirits  who  are  prepared  for  redemption 
shall  be  brought  out  of  prison  by  the  resurrection, 
then  "Another  trump  shall  sound,  which  is  the  third 
trump  ;^  and  then  cometh  the  spirits  of  men  who  are 
to  be  judged,  and  are  found  under  condemnation. 
And  these  are  the  rest  of  the  dead,  and  they  live  not 
again  untir  the  thousand  years  are  ended,  neither 
again,  until  the  end  of  the  earth;"  verses  100  and 
lor.  That  is,  all  the  dead  that  remain  after  the 
redemption  of  those  prepared,  are  those  who  are 
under  condemnation,  and  they  will  not  come  forth 
through  the  resurrection  until  after  the  Millennium  of 
a  thousand  years,  and  not  until  after  the  "little  season" 
in  which  Satan  will  be  loosed;  or  the  end  of  the 
earth.  It  is  mournful  to  think,  that,  even  after  so 
long  a  period  of  probation,  or  trial,  there  will  be  then 
of  these  spirits  those  who  will  still  have  to  remain 


254  SPIRITS  IN   PRISON. 

in  the  prison  house,  for  verse  102  says,  "  There  are 
found  among  those  who  are  to  remain,  until  that 
great  and  last  day,  even  the  end,  who  shall  remain 
filthy  still." 

In  another  revelation  we  are  informed,  that  a  part 
of  those  who  inherit  a  terrestrial  glory,  will  be  "The 
spirits  of  men  kept  in  prison,  whom  the  Son  visited, 
and  preached  the  Gospel  unto  them,  that  they  might 
be  judged  according  to  men  in  the  flesh,  Who  received 
not  the  testimony  of  Jesus  in  the  flesh,  but  after- 
wards received  it;"  sec.  76.  'j^^  74. 


Job  17,  16  they  shall  go  down  to  the  bars  of  the  pit. 

83.  24  deliver  him  from  going  down  to  the  pit :  I  have  found  a 
ransom.  28,  30. 

F&alm  9.  17  the  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell. 

28.  1  lest,  if  thou  be  silent  to  me,  I  become  like  them  that  go 
down  to  the  pit. 

80.  3  thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  I  should  not  go  down  to  the 
pit. 

69.  15  let  not  the  pit  shut  her  mouth  on  me. 

142.  7  bring  my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise  thy  name. 

143.  7  hide  not  thy  tace  from  me,  lest  I  be  like  unto  those  that 
go  down  to  the  pit. 

7sa.  14.  15  yet  thou  shall  be  brought  down  to  hell,  to  the  sides 
of  the  pit. 

42.  16  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  knew  not. 

61.  1  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  to  open  the  prison  to 
those  that  are  bound. 

Ezek.  26.  20  bring  thee  down  with  them  that  descend  into  the 
pit,  and  sliall  set  thee  in  the  low  parts  of  the  earth 

31.  14-18  for  they  are  all  delivered  unto  death,  to  the  nether 
parts  of  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  lie  in  the  midst  of  the  uncircum- 
cised.    This  is  Pharaoh  and  all  his  multitude. 

32.  18 — 32  several  nations  enumerated  who  were'slainby  the 
sword,  and  whose  multitudes  went  down  to  the  pit. 

Zech.  9.  11  by  the  blood  of  thy  covenant  I  have  sent  forth  thy 
prisoners  out  of  the  pit. 

MaXt.  12.  32  whosoever  speaketh  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  it  shall 
not  be  forgiven  him  in  this  world,  nor  the  world  to  come. 

Lvke  12.  47, 48  some  shall  be  beaten  with  few,  some  with  many 
stripes. 

Acts  2.  34  for  David  is  not  ascended  into  heaven. 

Hev.  5.  13  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven,  on  earth,  and 
under  the  earth. 

20.  7  when  the  thousand  years  are  ended,  Satan  shall  be  loosed 
oat  of  his  prison. 


THE   FIRST   PRESIDENCY.  255 

Sec.  19.  6  it  is  not  written  that  there  shall  be  no  end  to  this  tor- 
ment. 

45.  17  as  ye  have  looked  upon  the  long  absence  of  your  spirits 
from  your  bodies  to  be  a  bondage,  I  will  show  you  how  the  day 
of  redemption  will  come.  45,  46. 

54  and  then  shall  the  heathen  nations  be  redeemed. 

78.  12  be  delivered  over  to  the  bufletings  of  Satan,  until  the 
day  of  redemption.  See.  82, 21. 


THE    FIRST   PRESIDENCY    AND   TWELVE 
APOSTLES. 

THE  FIRST  PRESIDENCY. 


It  is  revealed  unto  us  in  Doc.  <Sr»  Cov.,  20.  2,  3, 
that  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  was  called  of  God  and 
ordained  an  Apostle  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be 
the  first  Elder  of  this  church ;  and  that  Oliver  Cow- 
dery  was  also  called  of  God,  an  Apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ,  to  be  the  second  Elder  of  this  church.  In  sec. 
18.  we  are  informed  that  Oliver  Cowdery  and 
David  Whitmer  were  called  with  that  same  calling 
with  which  the  apostle  Paul  was  called;  but  of 
Joseph  Smith.  Jun.,  the  Lord  said,  8th  verse^ 
"Marvel  not  that  I  have  called  him  unto  mine 
own  purpose,  which  purpose  is  known  in  me."  In 
sec.  27.  12,  the  Savior  says:  "And  also  with  Peter, 
and  James,  and  John,  whom  I  have  sent  unto  you,  by 
whom  I  have  ordained  you  and  confirmed  you  to  be 
Apostles,  and  especial  witnesses  of  my  name,  and 
bear  the  keys  of  your  ministry,  and  of  the  same  things 
which  I  revealed  unto  them." 

Joseph,  the  first  Apostle,  continued  as  directed  of 
the  Lord  from  time  to  time  to  organize  and  develop 


256  THE   TWELVE   APOSTLES. 

the  offices  and  ordinances  of  the  church,  for  the 
saints  were  informed,  in  sec.  43.  3,  "Ye  shall  know 
assuredly  that  there  is  none  other  appointed  unto  you 
to  receive  commandments  and  revelations  until  he  be 
taken,  if  he  abide  in  me." 

In  sec.  107,  on  Priesthood,  instructions  are  given 
how  to  organize  various  councils  and  presidencies, 
in  which  is,  verse  22,  "  Of  the  Melchisedek  Priest- 
hood, three  presiding  High  Priests,  chosen  by 
the  body,  appointed  and  ordained  to  that  office,  and 
upheld  by  the  confidence,  faith  and  prayer  of  the 
church."  "  Verse  9,  '^The  Presidency  of  the  High 
Priesthood,  after  the  order  of  Melchisedek,  have  a 
right  to  officiate  in  all  the  offices  in  the  church ;"  and, 
as  in  verses  18,  19,  to  hold  the  keys  of  all  the  spir- 
itual blessings  of  the  church" — to  have  the  privilege 
of  receiving  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven — 
to  have  the  heavens  opened  unto  them,  to  commune 
with  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first- 
born, and  to  enjoy  the  communion  and  presence  of 
God  the  Father,  and  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant. 

In  verses  91-2,  "The  duty  of  the  President  of  the 
office  of  the  High  Priesthood  is  to  preside  over  the 
whole  church,  and  to  be  like  unto  Moses.  Yea,  to  be 
a  Seer,  a  revelator,  a  translator  and  a  prophet,  having 
all  the  gifts  of  God  which  he  bestows  upon  the  head 
of  the  church."  In  this  light  and  sense  does  the 
church  uphold,  by  their  vote,  their  faith  and  their 
prayers,  the  First  Presidency  of  the  church,'  or  the 
Presiding  High  Priest  over  the  High  Preisthood  of 
the  church. 


THE   TWELVE    APOSTLES, 

The  Twelve  Apostles,  or  the  twelve  traveling 
counselors,  are  called  to  be  the  Twelve  Apostles,  or 
special  witnesses  of  the  name  of   Christ  in  all  the 


THE   TWELVE    APOSTLES.  257 

world;  and  they  form  a  quorum,  equal  in  authority 
and  power  to  the  three  Presidents  previously  men- 
tioned— the  decisions  of  each  being  unanimous.  Doc. 
(Sr*  Cov.^  sec.  107,  verses  23,  24.  In  verse  33  they  ^'  are 
to  officiate  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Presidency  of  the  church,  agreeable  to 
the  institution  of  heaven:  to  build  up  the  church  and 
regulate  the  affairs  of  the  same  in  all  nations;  first 
unto  the  Gentiles,  and  secondly  unto  the  Jews." 

The  foregoing  laconic  description  of  their  duties 
is  so  comprehensive  that  we  will  not  detail  further 
than  to  refer  the  student  to  verses  23,  24,  35,  38,  39, 
58  for  further  description  of  the  duties  of  the  Twelve 
Apostles. 

In  sec.  112,  verses  30 — 32,  the  Lord  says  to  them: 
"  For  unto  you,  (the  Twelve,)  and  those  (the  First 
Presidency)  who  are  appointed  with  you  to  be  your 
counselors  and  your  leaders,  is  the  power  of  this 
Priesthood  given,  for  the  last  days  and  for  the  last 
time,  in  the  which  is  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness 
of  times,  which  power  you  hold  in  connection  with 
all  those  who  have  received  a  dispensation  at  any 
time  from  the  beginning  of  the  creation." 

At  the  dedication  of  the  Temple  in  Kirtland,  the 
Prophet  Joseph  ^'called  upon  the  quorums  and  the 
congregation  of  Saints  to  acknowledge  the  Twelve 
Apostles,  who  were  present,  as  Prophets,  Seers  and 
Revelators,  and  special  witnesses  to  all  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  holding  the  keys  of  the  kingdom,  to  un- 
lock it,  or  cause  it  to  be  done,  among  them,  and  up- 
hold them  with  their  prayers,  which  tney  assented  to 
by  rising:"  His.  of  Joseph  Smithy  March  27,  1836. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names,  time  of 
birth  and  date  of  membership  of  the  First  Presi- 
dency and  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  of  this  Dispensa- 
tion, given  in  the  order  in  which  they  were  set  apart 
to  those  offices,  so  far  as  we  have  ascertained: 

Lyman  E.  Johnson  was  bom  October  24, 1811,  at  Pomfret,  Wind- 
sor County,  Vermont ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  Council  of  Apostles,jit  Kirtland,  February  14, 1885, 
and  was  cut  off  from  the  Council  #id  the  church  April  ll  1538, 
at  Far  West,  Missouri  \ 

I 


258 


THE  TWELVE   APOSTLES. 


Brigham  Young  was  born  June  1, 1801,  at  Whittingham,  Wind- 
sor County,  Vermont ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  14, 1835, 
at  Kirtland.  From  tbe  apostacy  of  Thomas  B.  Marsh  in  October, 
1838,  he  was  President  of  the  Twelve,  and  from  December  27, 1847, 
was  sustained  as  First  President  of  the  church,  with  Heber  G.  Kim- 
ball and  Willard  Richards  as  his  counselors.  This  position  he 
occupied  until  his  death,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1877. 

Heber  C.  Kimball  was  born  June  14, 1801,  at  Sheldon,  Franklin 
County,  Vermont;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  14, 1835,  at 
Kirtland,  and  was  first  counselor  to  President  Brigham  Young, 
from  December  27,  1847,  until  his  death,  on  the  22d  of  June 
1868. 

Orson  Hyde  was  born  January  8, 1805,  at  Oxford,  New  Haven 
County,  Connecticut ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  15, 1835, 
at  Kirtland,  and  died  at  Spring  City,  Utah,  November  28, 1878. 

David  W.  Patten  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  about 
A.  D.  1800;  was  ordained  an  apostle  Febrarary  15,  1835,  at  Kirt- 
land. He  was  fatally  shot,  by  a  mob;  at  Crooked  River,  Mis- 
souri, on  the  25th  of  October,  1838,  and  died  the  same  day,  firm  in 
the  faith. 

Luke  S.  Johnson  was  bom  November  3, 1807,  at  Pomfret,  Wind- 
sor County,  Vermont ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  15, 1835, 
at  Kirtland.  He  was  disfellowshipped  September  3, 1837,  at  Kiit 
land,  and  was  cut  off  at  Far  West,  April  13, 1838. 

William  E.  McLellin  was  born  in  Tennessee,  supposed  in  1806 ; 
was  ordained  an  apostle  February  15, 1835,  at  Kirtland.  He  was 
cut  off  May  11, 1838,  at  Far  West. 

John  F.  Boynton  was  born  September  20, 1811,  at  Bradford,  Es- 
sex County,  Massachusetts ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  15, 
18a5,  at  Kirtland.    He  was  cut  off  September  3, 1837,  at  Kirtland. 

William  Smith  was  born  March  13, 1811,  at  Royalton,  Windsor 
County,  Vermont ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  15, 18;55,  at 
Kirtland.  He  was  deprived  of  the  apostleship  October  7, 1845,  in 
Nauvoo,  and  was  excommunicated  October  12, 1845. 

Parley  P.  Pratt  was  born  April  12, 1807,  au  Burlington,  Otsego 
County,  New  York;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  21. 1835,  at 
Kirtland,  and  was  assassinated  near  Van  Buren,  in  Arkansas. 
May  14, 1857. 

1  Jiomas  B.  Marsh  was  born  November  1, 1799,  at  Acton,  Massa- 
chusetts ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  25  or  26, 1635,  at  Kirtland. 
He  was  cut  off  for  apostacy,  at  Quincy.  J Jlii  olb,  iVhuch  17, 1839 

Orson  Pratt  was  born  September  19, 1811,  at  Hartford.  Washing- 
ton County,  New  York ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  26, 1835,  at 
Kirtland.  He  died  at  his  residence  in  Salt  Lake  City,  October  3, 
1881. 

John  Taylor  was  bom  November  1, 1808,  at  Milnthorpe,  West- 
moreland, England ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  December  19, 1838, 
at  Far  West,  Missouri.  He  was  President  ot  the  Twelve  from  the 
death  of  Brigham  Young,  and  has  been  sustained  as  First  Presi- 
dent of  the  church  since  October  10, 1880,  with  apostles  George  Q. 
Cannon  and  Joseph  F.  Smith  as  his  counselors. 

John  E.  Page  was  born  February  25, 1799,  at  Trenton,  Oneida 
County,  New  York ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  December  19. 1888. 
at  Far  West,  Missouri.    He  was  cut  off   June  27, 1846. 

Wilford  Woodruff  was  born  March  1, 1S07,  at  Avon,  Hartfora 
Coimigr,  Ooimecticut;  waa  onlained  an  apostie  April  2B.  1839,  at 


THE  TWELVE   APOSTLES.  259 

Far  West,  Missouri.    Since  October  10, 1880,  has  been  sustained  as 
Presifient  of  the  Twelve  Apostles. 

George  A.  Smith  was  born  June  26, 1817,  at  Potsdam,  St.  Law- 
rence County,  New  York ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  26, 1839, 
at  Far  West,  Missouri.  He  was  appointed  and  sustained  first  coun- 
selor to  President  Brigham  Young,  at  the  October  Conference, 
1868.  He  continued  to  hold  this  office  until  his  death,  September 
1,  1875. 

Willard  Richards  was  born  June  21, 1804,  at  Hopkinton,  Mid- 
dlesex County.  MassacJiusetts;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  14, 
1810,  at  Preston,  Lancashire,  England,  by  President  Brigham 
Young  and  the  Council  of  Apostles  held  there  on  that  day.  He 
was  second  counselor  to  President  Young  from  December  27, 1847, 
until  his  death,  March  11,  1854. 

Lyman  Wight  was  born  May  9,  1796,  at  Fairfield,  Herkimer 
County,  New  York ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  8, 1841,  at  Nau- 
voo.    He  was  excommunicated  February  12, 1849. 

Amasa  M.  Lyman  was  born  March  30, 1813,  at  Lyman,  Grafton 
County,  New  Hampshire ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  August  20, 
1812,  at  Nauvoo.  He  was  deprived  of  his  apostleship  October  8, 
1867.  and  excommunicated  May  12,  1870. 

Ezra  T.  Benson  was  born  February  22, 1811,  at  Mendon,  Wor- 
cester County,  Massachusetts :  was  ordained  an  apostle  July  16, 
1846,  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa.    He.died  at  Ogden,  September  8, 1869. 

Charles  C.  Rich  was  born  August  21, 1809,  in  Campbell  County, 
Kentucky,  and  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  12 ,  1849.  at  Salt 
Lake  City.   He  died  at  Paris,  Idaho-,  November  17.  1*^83. 

Lorenzo  Snow  was  Dorn  April  3,  1814,  at  Mantua,  Portage 
County,  Ohio;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  12, 1849,  at  Salt 
Lake  City. 

Erastus  Snow  was  bom  November  9,  1818,  at  St.  Johnsbury, 
Vormont ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  February  12, 1849,  at  Salt  Lake 
City. 

Franklin  D.  Richards  was  born  April  2,  1821,  at  liichmond, 
Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1&49,  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

George  Q.  Cannon  was  born  January  11,  1827,  at  Liverpool, 
Lancashire,  England ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  August  26, 1860,  at 
Salt  Lake  City;  was  sustained  first  counselor  to  President  John 
Taylor  October  10, 1880. 

Brigham  Young,  Jun.,  was  born  December  18, 1836,  at  Kirtland, 
Geauga  Countv.  Ohio ;  was  set  apart  as  one  of  the  Twelve  Apos- 
tles October  9, 1868,  in  Salt  Lake  City. 

Joseph  F.  Smith  was  born  November  13,  1838,  at  Far  West, 
Missouri;  was  received  into  the  Council  of  Apostles  October  6, 
1867,  at  Salt  Lake  Citv.  He  was  sustained  as  second  counselor 
to  President  John  Taylor  October  10,  1880. 

Albert  Carrington  was  born  January  8, 1813,  at  Rovalton,  Wind- 
sor County.  Vermont;  was  ordained  an  apostle  July  3,  1870,  at 
Salt  Lake  City. 

Moses  Thatcher  was  born  February  2,  1842,  at  Sangamon 
County,  Illinois ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  April  7, 1879,  at  Salt 
Lake  City. 

Francis  M.  Lyman  was  born  January  12, 1840,  near  McComb, 
in  McDonough  County.  Illinois ;  was  ordained  an  apostle  October 
27, 1880,  at  Salt  Lake  City. 


26o  PRESIDENCY   AND    APOSTLES. 

John  H.  Smith  was  born  September  18,  1848,  at  Carbunca, 
Pottowattomie  County,  Iowa;  was  ordained  an  Apostle  October  27, 
1880,  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

George  Teasdale  was  born  on  the  8th  of  December,  1831,  at 
London,  England,  and  ordained  one  ot  the  Twelve  Apostles  on 
the  IGth  ot  October,  1882,  by  President  John  Taylor,  assisted  by 
Greorge  Q.  Cannon  and  others  of  the  apostles. 

Heber  J.  Grant  was  born  on  the  22d  ot  November,  1856,  in  Salt 
Lake  City,  Utah,  and  ordained  one  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  on  the 
30th  of  October,  1882,  by  President  George  Q.  Cannon,  assisted  by 
President  John  Taylor  and  others  of  the  apostles. 

John  W.  Taylor  was  born  on  the  loth  of  May,  1858,  at  Provo  City, 
Utah  County,  Utah,  and  ordained  one  of  the"  Twelve  Apostles  on 
the  9th  d.iy'of  April,  1884,  by  President  John  Taylor,  assisted  by 
Counselors  Geo.  Q.Cannon,  Jos.  F.  Smith  and  others  of  the  apostles. 

The  first  First  Presidency  and  Twelve  Apostles  of  the  church, 
in  Kirtland,  were: 

FIRST  PRESIDENCY. 

Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,    Sidney  Rigdon,    Frederick  G.  Williams. 

TWELVE  APOSTLES. 

1.  Thomas  B.  Marsh,  2.  David  W.  Patten,  3.  Brigham  Young, 
4.  Heber  C.  Kimball,  5.  Orson  Hvde,  6.  William  E.  McL^llin, 

7.  Parley  P.  Pratt,       8.  Luke  S.  Johnson.  '.).  William  Smith, 
11).  Orson  Pratt,  11.  John  F.  Boyiuou  1 :.  Lyman  E.  Johnson. 

The  persons  composing  the  first  Council  of  Twelve  Apostles 
were  chosen  by  the  three  witnesses  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  viz.: 
Oliver  Cowdery,  David  Whitmer  and  Martin  Harris,  on  the  14th 
day  of  February,  1S35.  They  were  ordained  Apostles  by  Josejili 
Smith,  Jun.,  OliVer  Cowdery'and  David  Wliitmer,  as  stated  in  the 
History  of  Joseph  Smith,  under  date  of  May  28, 1843. 

In  a  revelation  given  through  Joseph,  the  Seer,  at  Far  West, 
Missouri,  July  8,  1838,  the  Lord  said  to  him:  "Let  my  servant 
John  Taylor,  and  also  my  servant  John  E.  Page,  and  also  my  ser- 
vant Wilford  Woodruff,  and  also  my  servant  Willard  RichArds, 
be  appointed  to  fill  the  places  of  those  who  have  fallen,  and  be 
oflacially  notified  of  their  appointments." 

When  Frederick  G.  Williams  was  rejected  from  the  First  Presi- 
dency, on  the  7th  of  November,  1837.  at  Far  West,  Hyrum  Smith 
was  appointed  a  counselor  in  his  stead,  which  position  he  occu- 

§ied  until  called  to  officiate  as  Patriarch  to  the  church,  after  the 
eath  of  his  father,  Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  which  occurred  in  Nau- 
voo,  September  14. 1840,  when  William  Law  was  appointed  coun- 
selor to  the  Prophet  Joseph  in  Hyrum's  stead.  This  office  Wm, 
Law  occupied  until  the  assassination  of  the  Prophet  and  Patri- 
arch, which  occurred  June  27, 1844,  at  Carthage,  Illinois. 

The  First  Presidency  and  Twelve  Apostles  as  they  stood  in 
Nauvoo,  after  the  apostacy  of  Luke  S.  Johnson,  William  E. 
McLellin,  John  F.  Bovnton.  Lvman  E.  Johnson,  Thomas  B. 
Marsh  and  Frederick  G.  Williams,  and  the  ordination  of  Hyrum 
Smith  to  the  office  of  Patriarch,  were: 


PRESIDENCY    AND    AFOSTLES.  261 

FIRST  PRESIDENCY. 

Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  Sidney  Rigdon,  William  Law. 

TWELVE  APOSTLES. 

1.  Brigham  Young,     2.  Heber  C.  Kimball,     3.  Parley  P.  Pratt, 
4.  Orson  Prr.tt,  5.  Orson  Hyde,  6.  William  Smith, 

7.  John  Tjiylor,  8.  Jolin  E.  Page,  9.  Wilford  Woodruff, 

10.  Willard  Richards,  11.  George  A.  5^mith,     12.  Lyman  Wight. 

At  a  General  Conference,  held  on  December  27, 1847,  at  Kanes- 
vlUe.  (now  Cimncil  Blutfs,)  Iowa,  the  Saints  acknowledged  Brig- 
ham  Young  President  of  the  Church  ot  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day 
Saints,  and  Heber  C.  Kimball  and  Willard  Richards  his  Counsel- 
or-f.  This  action  was  cf  ntirmed  at  the  General  Conference,  held 
In  Salt  Lake  Valley,  after  the  companies  had  arrived  in  the  Fall 
of  1848. 

In  Salt  Lake  City,  February,  1&19,  after  the  assassination  of  the 
Prophet  Joseph,  the  apostacy  ol  Sidney  Rigdon, William  Law, 
William  Smith,  John  E.  Pago  and  Lyman  Wight,  the  First 
Presidency  and  Twelve  Apostles  stood  as  follows : 

FIRST  PRESIDENCY. 

Brigham  Young,       Heber  C.  Kimball,       Willard  Richards. 

TWELVE  APOSTLES. 

1.  Orson  Hvde,  2.  Parley  P.  Pratt,      3.  Orson  Pratt, 

4.  John  Taylor,         5.  Wilford  Woodruff,  6.  George  A.  Smith. 
7.  Amasa  M.Lyman,  8.  Ezra  T.  Benson,      9.  Charles  C.  Rich, 
10.  Lorenzo  Snow,     11.  Erastus  Snow,       12.  Franklin  D.Richards 

After  the  death  of  Counselor  Willard  Richards,  March  11, 1854, 
President  B.  Y'ouug  nominated,  and  the  church  sustained  Jede- 
diah  M.  Grant,  at  the  General  Conference  April  6, 1854,  as  his  sec- 
ond counselor.  Elder  Gn  nt  filled  this  ofl&ce  until  Lis  death,  at 
Salt  Lake  City,  December  1,  IS-:  6.  He  was  bom  in  Windsor, 
Broome  County,  New  Y'ork,  February  21, 1816. 

John  W.  \Vung  was  born  October  1st,  1844,  at  Nauvoo,  Han- 
cock County,  Illinois;  was  ordained  an  apostle  November  22d, 
185,=>,  by  President  Brigham  Y'oung,  assisted  by  Heber  C.  Kimball 
and  Jedediah  M.  Grant,  at  Salt  Lake  City;  on  the  4th  of  February, 
1864,  he  was  set  apart  to  be  assistant  cotmselor  to  the  First  Presi- 
dency by  his  father,  President  Brigham  Y^oung,  and  on  the  8th  of 
October,  1876,  was  set  apart  as  first  counselor  to  President  Brigham 
Young,  by  his  father,  assisted  by  Daniel  H.  Wells  and  Brigham 
Young,  Jr  ,  ai  i^alt  Lake  City,  which  position  he  occupied  until 
the  death  of  President  Y'oung.  Since  then  he  has  officiated  as 
counselor  to  the  Twelve  Apostles, 

Daniel  H.  Wells  was  born  October  27, 1814,  at  Trenton,  Oneida 
County,  New  York;  was  ordained  an  apostle  and  set  apart  to  be 
second  counselor  in  the  First  Presidency  by  President  Brigham 
Young,  January  4th,  1S57.  He  held  this  office  until  the  death  of 
President  Young;  since  then  he  has  officiated  as  counselor  to  the 
Twelve  Apostles. 


202  PRESIDENCY   AND   APOSTLES. 

8Tn?/?^PMfi??^^  Of  Presidents  Brigham  Young  and  George  A. 

Pmtfm^d  rrnS^'^n  5^'lf'  ^^I^?7  ^•^'''^"-  ^^^^  '^'  ^^nson,  Orson 
rrattand  Charles  C.  Rich,  and  the  apostacy  of  Amasa  M.  Lyman, 

lows  fmrn  rnin'^Q^TR^r^  ^^''''''^^  of  Apostles  have  beenasfol' 


lows,  from  April  9, 1884: 


FIRST  PRESIDENCY. 

John  Taylor,  George  Q.  Cannon,  Joseph  F.  Smith. 

TWELVE   APOSTLES. 

1.  Wilford  Woodrutf,        2.  Lorenzo  Snow,      3.  Erastus  Snow 
4.  JrankliiiD.  Richards,  5.  Brigham  Young,  6.  i^lbertCarringrrn 
/ .  Moses  Thatcher,  8.  Francis  M.Lyman,9.  John  H.  Smith, 

10.  George  Teasdale,        11.  Heber  J.  Grant.   12.  John  W.  Tayloi 


Francis  M.  Lyman  and  John  H.  Smith  were  appointed  and 
'sustained  at  the  General  Conference  in  October,  1880,  but  were 
not  ordained,  on  account  of  the  absence  of  Elder  Lyman,  until 
the  27th  day  of  that  mouth. 

Matt.  10.  2 — i  the  names  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  are  these. 
28.  19,  20  go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations. 
Mark  3.  11  he  ordained  Twelve  that  they  should  be  with  him. 
John  15.  16  ye  have  not  ehosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you. 
Acts  1.  25  that  ye  may  take  part  in  this  ministry  and  apostle- 
ship. 

4.  35  laid  them  down  at  the  apostles'  feet. 

16.  4  the  decrees  ordained  of  che  apostles. 

Mom.  1.  5  by  whom  we  have  received  grace  and  apostleship. 

11.  13  inasmutih  as  I  am  an  apostle  of  the  Gentiles. 

1  Cor.  12.  28  God  hath  set  some  in  the  church,  first  apostles. 

2  Cor.  12.  12  truly  the  signs  of  an  apostle  were  wrought  among 
you. 

Eph.  2.  20  built  upon  the  foundation  of  apostles  and  prophets. 

3.  5  as  it  is  now  revealed  to  his  holy  apostles  and  prophets. 

4.  11  and  he  gave  some  apostles  and  some  prophets,  etc. 
Neh.  3.  1  the  apostle  and  high  priest  of  our  profession. 
Jude  17.  words  spoken  before  of  the  apostles  of  our  Lord. 
Eev.  18.  20  rejoice  over  her,  ye  holy  apostles  and  prophets. 

Book  of  JEormoTt. 

3  Nephi  12. 1  give  heed  unto  these  Twelve  whom  1  have  cho::eii. 
13.  25  ye  are  they  I  have  chosen  to  minister  to  this  people. 

19.  4  Jesus  chose  twelve  disciples  among  the  Nephites. 
Chap.  28.  Jesus'  ministry  to  his  Twelve  Disciples;  three  chosen 
to  remain. 


THE   UNITED  ORDER,  263 

Mcyrmon  1.  16  disciples  taken  out  of  the  land  on  account  of 
wickedness 

3.  19  Nephites  to  be  judged  by  the  Twelve  whom  Jesus  chose. 


Sec.  18.  9  called  with  the  same  calling  as  the  apostle  Paul. 
27—47  calling  of  the  Council  of  Twelve  Apostles  in  this  dispen- 
sation. 
19.  8  for  it  is  meet  for  you  to  know,  e\en  as  mine  apostles. 
20.  2,  3  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,and  O.  Cowdery  called  and  ordained 


27.  12  with  Peter,  James  and  John,  by  whom  I  have  ordained 

you  apostles. 

84.  63  you  are  mine  apostles,  even  God's  high  priests.  64. 

95.  4    prepare  mine  apostles  to  prune  my  vineyard  for  the  last 
time. 


See  A  Pamphlet^  Succession  in  the  Priesthood^  by  jfohn 
Taylor. 

Sermon  by  O.  Pratt,  y.  of  D.,   Vol.  ig,  page  iii. 

*•         '*   Geo.  Q,  Cannon,  J.  of  D.  Vol.  10 ,  page  2jo. 


CONSECRATION— STEWARDSHIP- 
UNITED   ORDER. 

To  the  Elder  or  Saint  who  has  studied  the  revela- 
tions of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  given  in  the  Doc- 
trine and  Covenants,  by  the  li^ht  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
it  is  most  abundantly  manifest  that  the  human  family 
has  departed,  degenerated  or  apostatized  from  origi- 
nal methods  in  their  secular  or  business  concerns, 
as  truly,  and  as  extensively,  as  they  have  in  their 
spiritual  interests,  or  the  matters  of  iheir  religious 
faith. 

Enoch  instituted  an  order  of  things  among  his 
people,  in  their  business  and  financial  relations,which 


264  THE   UNITED   ORDER, 

SO  revolutionized  their  temporalities,  that  they  had  no 
poor  among  them,  and  all  rejoiced  together  in  equal 
hope  of  the  life  and  exaltation,  offered  to  them  in  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Only  Begotten  of  the 
Father. 

This  very  peculiar  condition  of  things  has  been 
revealed  to  us  under  the  style  of  United  Order  of 
Enoch,  and  it  would  surprise  many  who  have  given 
little  attention  to  it  to  know  how  much  is  said  in  ex- 
planation and  support  of  this  doctrine  in  the 
Revelations. 

We  have  thought  that  our  little  work  could  not  be 
considered  complete  without  a  studied  article,  ex- 
planatory of  this  subject,  but  have  concluded  to  give 
some  references  and  citations,  and  invite  the  earnest 
students  and  scholars  in  the  Church  to  investigate 
these  great  principles  of  social  reform  which  have 
long  puzzled  the  scientists  and  moralists  of  our  age, 
which  are  worthy  the  efforts  of  our  best  minds, 
enlightened  by  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  which  God  has  promised  to  set  in  order  in  his 
Church,  in  his  own  time  and  in  his  own  way. 

Psalm  50.  5  gather  my  Saints  together,  that  have  made  a  cove- 
nant with  me  by  sacrifice. 

Matt.  19.  16— 2 L  go  and  sell  that  thou  hast  and  give  to  the  poor. 

Acts  4.  '31,  32  but  they  had  all  things  common. 

35  distribution  was  made  unto  every  man  according  as  he  had 
need. 

Book  oi  piornion. 

4  Nephi  1.  2,  3  they  had  all  things  common  among  them,  there- 
fore they  were  not  rich  and  poor,  bond  and  free. 

16  there  could  not  be  a  happier  people  who  had  been  created 
by  the  hand  of  God. 

24,  25  from  that  time  they  had  their  goods  and  substance  no 
more  common  among  them. 

Sec.  19.  26  Martin  Harris  was  commanded  to  impart  of  his  sub- 
stance, for  printing  the  Book  of  Mormon. 


THE  UNITED   ORDER.  265 

34,  85  Martin  Harris  commanded  to  impart  all  his  substance 
except  sufficient  for  the  support  of  his  family. 

42.  30  properties  to  be  consecrated  for  the  support  ot  the  poor, 
by  deed  and  Covenant. 

32  every  man  to  be  made  accountable  to  the  Lord,  as  a  steward 
over  his  own  property. 

33  properties  in  the  hands  of  the  Church,  or  individuals,  more 
than  is  necessary  for  their  support,  shall  be  kept  to  administer  to 
those  who  have  not. 

39  the  riches  of  those  who  embrace  the  Gospel  among  the  Gen- 
tiles, to  be  consecrated  to  the  poor  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

37  he  that  is  cast  out  of  the  Church  shall  not  receive  that  which 
he  has  consecrated  to  the  poor. 

51.  1,  2  must  needs  be  that  they  be  organized  according  to  my 
laws,  or  they  will  be  cut  off. 

3  appoint  unto  this  people  their  portion,  every  man  equal  ac- 
cording to  their  families. 

4  a  writing  given  unto  every  man  to  secure  unto  him  his  por- 
tion. 5—7. 

58.  35—87  Martin  Harris  to  be  an  example  unto  the  Church,  in 
laying  his  monies  before  the  bishop.  This  is  the  law  to  every  man 
who  would  receive  an  inheritance  in  Zion. 

70.  9—11  no  man  exempt  from  the  law  of  consecration  who  be- 
longs to  the  church. 

78.  4  the  order  for  the  establishment  of  the  poor  to  be  ever- 
lasting. 

5,  6  all  to  be  equal  in  heavenly  and  earthly  things. 

11, 12  the  Saints  to  organize  by  an  everlasting  covenant.  He 
who  breaks  it  to  be  delivered  over  to  the  buffetings  of  Satan. 

82.  11  certain  men  to  be  bound  together  by  a  covenant  not  to 
be  broken.  12—18. 

21  the  soul  that  sins  against  this  covenant  and  hardens  his 
heart  against  it,  to  be  turned  over  to  the  buffetings  of  Satan. 

85.  3— >5  those  who  do  not  keep  the  law  of  consecration  and 
tithing,  shall  not  have  their  names  enrolled  with  the  people  of 
God^  their  genealogy  shall  not  be  found  in  the  records  of  the 
church,  neither  shall  the  names  of  the  fathers  or  children  be 
written  in  the  book  of  the  law  of  God. 

104.  1  the  united  order  to  be  an  everlasting  order  for  the  salva- 
tion of  men  until  Christ  come. 

4—10  the  penalty  of  breaking  the  covenants  ol  the  united 
order. 

11—13  every  man's  stewardship  to  be  appointed  unto  him. 

15, 16  the  Lord  will  provide  for  his  Saints  in  his  own  way. 

54,  55  the  properties  of  the  Saints  are  the  Lord's,  or  else  is  their 
faith  vain. 

105.  2  were  it  not  for  the  transgressions  of  my  people,  they 
might  have  been  redeemed  even  now. 

4  are  not  united  according  to  the  law  of  the  celestial  kingdom. 

5  Zion  cannot  be  built  up  except  by  the  law  of  the  celestial 
kingdom. 

9  elders  to  wait  a  little  season  for  the  redemption  of  Zion. 

^jtarl  o£  (Krjeat  f  r(c£. 

2\ii/es  18, 19, 20  an  ucoount  of  thb  city  of  Enoch. 


206  GEMS. 

Sse  Sermon  by  B.  Youngs  y.  of  Z).,  Vol.  /j,  page  220, 
II  ((  II 

"  y.  Taylor,         " 

"  G,  A.  Smith,    *' 

"  W.   Woodru-f/* 

'*  E.  Snozv,  " 

"  O.  Pratt, 

"  L.  Snow,  " 

"  R.  Snow,  " 

"  L,  Snow,  " 

"  y.  Taylor^        " 

"  L.  SnoT.v,  " 

"  J.  Taylor, 

"  O.  Pratt,  "  •*    21,     '*     146, 


^7. 

'    56. 

'     47 

•  5<?. 
'       6g. 

n- 

'       74- 

17. 
18, 

'  103, 
'    37^ 

^9. 

'     ^79- 

^9. 

'    S4f' 

20, 
^0, 

'       55. 

21,   ' 

*     ss* 

GEMS    FROM   THE    HISTORY    OF    JOSEPH 
SMITH. 


Afay  25,  1835,  in  a  Council  of  the  Twelve,  Brig- 
ham  Young,  one  of  the  Twelve,  Elders  John  P. 
Greene  and  Amos  Orton  were  set  apart  to  open  the 
door  of  the  Gospel  to  the  remnants  of  Joseph. 

Presidency  of  the  Twelve. —  Jamtary  16, 
1836,  in  a  Council  of  the  Twelve  the  Prophet  Joseph 
made  the  following  remark:  '*  The  Twelve  are  not 
subject  to  any  other  than  the  First  Presidency,  viz.: 
myself,  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  Frederick  G.  Williams, 
who  are  now  my  Counselors;  (and  where  I  am  not, 
there  is  no  First  Presidency  over  the  Twelve.)" 

A  Vision. — Jatitiary  21,  1836,  the  Prophet  Joseph 
says  of  this  time;  "The  heavens  were  opened  upon 
us,  and  I  beheld  the  celestial  kingdom  of  God,  and 
the  glory  thereof,  whether  in  the  body  or  out  I  can- 
not tell.  I  saw  the  transcendent  beauty  of  the  gate 
through  which  the  heirs  of  that  kingdom  will  enter, 


GEMS.  267 

which  was  like  unto  circling  flames  of  fire;  also 
the  blazing  throne  of  God,  whereon  was  seated 
the  Father  and  the  Son.  I  saw  the  beautiful  streets 
of  that  kingdom,  which  had  the  appearance  of  being 
paved  with  gold.  I  saw  Fathers  Adam  and  Abraham, 
and  my  father  and  mother,  my  brother  Alvin,  that  has 
long  since  slept,  and  marvelled  how  it  was  that  he 
had  obtained  an  inheritance  in  that  kingdom,  seeing 
that  he  had  departed  this  life  before  the  Lord  had  set 
his  hand  to  gather  Israel  the  second  time,  and  had 
not  been  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins.  Thus 
came  the  voice  of  the  Lord  unto  me,  saying — All 
who  have  died  without  a  knowledge  of  this  Gospel, 
who  would  have  received  it  if  they  had  been  permit- 
ted to  tarry,  shall  be  heirs  of  the  celestial  kingdom 
of  God;  also  all  that  shall  die  henceforth  without  a 
knowledge  of  it,  who  would  have  received  it  with  all 
their  hearts,  shall  be  heirs  of  that  kingdom,  for  I, 
the  Lord,  will  judge  all  men  according  to  their  works, 
according  to  the  desire  of  their  hearts.  And  I  also 
beheld  all  children  who  die  before  they  arrive  at 
years  of  accountability,  are  saved  in  the  celestial 
kingdom  of  heaven.        *        *        * 

"  Many  of  my  brethren  who  received  the  ordi- 
nance with  me  saw  glorious  visions  also.  Angels 
ministered  unto  them  as  well  as  myself,  and  the 
power  of  the  Highest  rested  upon  us,  the  house  was 
filled  with  the  glory  of  God,  and  we  shouted  Hosan- 
na  to  God  and  the  Lamb." 

The  Spirit  of  Prophecy. —  On  the  evenijig  of 
March  27,  1836,  President  Joseph  Smith  met  the 
Quorums  of  the  Priesthood  in  the  Temple,  and  in- 
structed them  respecting  the  ordinance  of  washing 
of  feet,  and  in  relation  to  the  Spirit  of  prophecy, 
*'And  called  upon  the  congregation  to  speak,  and 
not  to  fear  to  prophesy  good  concerning  the  Saints, 
for  if  you  prophesy  the  falling  of  these  hills,  and  the 
rising  of  the  valleys,  the  downfall  of  the  enemies  of 
Zion,  and  the  rising  of  the  kingdoi;n  of  God,  it  shall 
come  to  pass.  Do  not  quench  the  Spirit,  for  the 
first  one  that  opens  his  mouth  shall  receive  the  spirit 
of  prophecy      Brother  G.  A.  Smith  arose,  and  began 


268  GEMS. 

to  prophesy,  when  a  noise  was  heard  like  the  sound 
of  a  rushing  mighty  wind,  which  filled  the  Temple, 
and  all  the  congregation  simultaneously  arose,  being 
moved  upon  by  an  invisible  power;  many  began  to 
speak  in  tongues,  and  prophesy;  others  saw  glorious 
visions;  and  I  beheld  the  Temple  was  filled  with  an- 
gels, which  fact  I  declared  to  the  congregation.  The 
people  of  the  neighborhood  came  running  together, 
(hearing  an  unusual  sound  within,  and  seeing  a  bright 
light  like  a  pillar  of  fire  resting  upon  the  Temple,) 
and  were  astonished  at  what  was  transpiring." 

What  the  Elders  Should  Preach. — March 
30,  1836,  the  Elders  met  in  the  Kirtland  Temple,  to 
attend  to  the  ordinance  of  washing  of  feet,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Prophet  Joseph.  He  made  the 
following  remarks: 

"That  the  time  that  we  were  required  to  tarry  in 
Kirtland  to  be  endued,  would  be  fulfilled  in  a  few 
days,  and  then  the  Elders  would  go  forlh,  and  each 
must  stand  for  himself,  as  it  was  not  necessary  for 
them  to  be  sent  out,  two  by  two,  as  in  former  times, 
but  to  go  in  all  meekness,  in  sobriety,  and  preach 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified;  not  to  contend  with 
others  on  account  of  their  faith,  or  systems  of  reli- 
gion, but  pursue  a  steady  course.  This  I  delivered 
by  way  of  commandment;  and  all  who  observe  it  not, 
will  pull  down  persecution  upon  their  heads,  while 
those  who  do,  shall  always  be  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost;  this  I  pronounced  as  a  prophecy,  and  sealed 
with  hosanna  and  Amen." 

The  Comforter. — From  instructions  of  the  Pro- 
phet Joseph,  given  at  a  Conference  of  the  Twelve, 
Jtme  27,  1 839. 

'^  There  are  two  Comforters  spoken  of.  One  is  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  same  as  given  on  the  day  of  Pente- 
cost, and  that  all  Saints  receive  after  faith,  repentance, 
and  baptism.  This  first  Comforter  or  Holy  Ghost 
has  no  other  effect  than  pure  intelligence.  It  is  more 
powerful  in  expanding  the  mind,  enlightening  the 
understanding,  and  storing  the  intellect  with  present 
knowledge,  of  a  man  who  is  of  the  literal  seed  of 
Abraham,  than  one  that  is  a  Gentile,  though  it  may 


GEMS.  269 

not  have  half  as  much  visible  effect  upon  the  body; 
for  as  the  Holy  Ghost  falls  upon  one  of  the  lit- 
eral seed  of  Abraham,  it  is  calm  and  serene;  and  his 
whole  soul  and  body  are  only  exercised  by  the  pure 
spirit  of  intelligence;  while  the  effect  of  the  Holv 
Ghost  upon  a  Gentile,  is  to  purge  out  the  old  bloorf, 
and  make  him  actually  of  the  seed  of  Abraham. 

That  man  that  has  none  of  the  blood  of  Abraham 
(naturally)  must  have  a  new  creation  by  the  Holy 
Ghost.  In  such  a  case,  there  may  be  more  of  a  pow- 
erful effect  upon  the  body,  and  visible  to  the  eye,  than 
upon  an  Israelite,  while  the  Israelite  at  first  might  be 
far  before  the  Gentile  in  pure  intelligence. 

The  Other  Comforter  spoken  of  is  a  sub- 
ject of  great  interest,  and  perhaps  understood  by  few 
of  this  generation.  After  a  person  hath  faith  in 
Christ,  repents  of  his  sins,  and  is  baptized  for  the  re- 
mission of  his  sins  and  receives  the  Holy  Ghost,  (by 
the  laying  on  of  hands,)  which  is  the  first  Comforter, 
then  let  him  continue  to  humble  himself  before  God, 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  and  liv- 
ing by  every  word  of  God,  and  the  Lord  will  soon 
say  unto  him.  Son,  thou  shalt  be  exalted,  etc.  When 
the  Lord  has  thoroughly  proved  him,  and  finds  that 
the  man  is  determined  to  serve  him  at  all  hazards, 
then  the  man  will  find  his  calling  and  his  election  made 
sure,  then  it  will  be  his  privilege  to  receive  the  other 
Comforter^  which  the  Lord  hath  promised  the  Saints, 
as  is  recorded  in  the  testimony  of  St.  John,  in  the 
14th   chapter,    from    the    12th    to    the   27th  verses. 

Now,  what  is  this  other  Comforter?  It  is  no 
more  or  less  than  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself; 
and  this  is  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  whole  mat- 
ter; that  when  any  man  obtains  this  last  Comforter, 
he  will  have  the  personage  of  Jesus  Christ  to  attend 
him,  or  appear  unto  him  from  time  to  time,  and  even 
he  will  manifest  the  Father  unto  him,  and  they  will 
take  up  their  abode  with  him,  and  the  visions  of  the 
heav^ens  will  be  opened  unto  him,  and  the  Lord  will 
teach  him  face  to  face,  and  he  may  have  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God; 


270  GEMS. 

and  this  is  the  state  and  place  the  ancient  Saints  ar- 
rived at  when  they  had  such  glorious  visions — Isaiah, 
Ezekiel,  John  upon  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  St.  Paul  in 
the  three  heavens,  and  all  the  Saints  who  held  com- 
munion with  the  general  assembly  and  Church  of  the 
First  Born^  etc. 

''The  Spirit  of  Revelation  is  in  connection 
with  these  blessings.  A  person  may  profit  by  notic- 
ing the  first  intimations  of  the  Spirit  of  Revelation; 
for  instance,  when  you  feel, pure  intelligence  flowing 
unto  you,  it  may  give  you  sudden  strokes  of  ideas, 
that  by  noticing  it,  you  may  find  it  fulfilled  the  same 
day  or  soon;  (i.  e.,)  those  things  that  were  presented 
unto  your  mind  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  will  come  to 
pass;  and  thus  by  learning  the  Spirit  of  God  and 
understanding  it,  you  may  grow  into  the  principle  of 
Revelation,  until  you  become  perfect  in  Christ 
Jesus." 

Forgive  One  Another. — **  Ever  keep  in  exer- 
cise the  principle  of  mercy,  and  be  ready  to  forgive 
our  brother  on  the  first  intimations  of  repentance,  and 
asking  forgiveness;  and  should  we  even  forgive  our 
brother,  or  even  our  enemy,  before  they  repent  or  ask 
forgiveness,  our  Heavenly  Father  would  be  equally 
as  merciful  unto  us." 

Keys. — Jtdy  2,  1839,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Twelve 
and  some  of  the  Seventies,  President  Joseph  Smith 
made  the  following  remarks:  *'0  ye  Twelve!  and  all 
Saints!  profit  by  this  important  key — that  in  all  your 
trials,  troubles,  temptations,  afflictions,  bonds,  impris- 
onments and  death,  see  to  it,  that  you  do  not  betray 
heaven;  that  you  do  not  betray  Jesus  Christ;  that 
you  do  not  betray  the  brethren;  that  you  do  not  be- 
tray the  revelations  of  God,  whether  in  the  Bible, 
Book  of  Mormon,  or  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  or  any 
other  that  ever  was  or  ever  will  be  given  and  revealed 
unto  man  in  this  world  or  that  which  is  to  come. 
Yea,  in  all  your  kicking  and  flounderings,  see  to  it 
that  you  do  not  this  thing,  lest  innocent  blood  be 
found  in  your  skirts,  and  you  go  down  to  hell.  All 
other  sins  are  not  to  be  compared  to  sinning  against 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  proving  a  traitor  to  thy  brethren. 


GEMS.  271 

I  will  give  unto  you  one  of  the  keys  of  the  mysteries 
of  the  kingdom.  It  is  an  eternal  principle,  that  has 
existed  with  God  from  all  eternity:  That  man  who 
rises  up  to  condemn  others,  finding  fault  with  the 
Church,  saying  that  they  are  out  of  the- way,  while  he 
himself  is  righteous,  then  know  assuredly,  that  that 
man  is  in  the  highroad  to  apostac}^;  and  if  he  does 
not  repent,  will  apostatize,  as  God  lives. 

The  principle  is  as  correct  as  the  one  Jesus  put 
forth  in  saying,  that  he  who  seeketh  a  sign  is  an  adulter- 
ous person;  and  that  principle  is  eternal,  undeviat- 
ing,  and  firm  as  the  pillars  of  heaven;  for  whenever 
you  see  a  man  seeking  after  a  sign,  you  may  set  it 
down  that  he  is  an  adulterous  man. 

Coming  of  the  Son  of  Man. — On  another 
occasion  about  this  time  the  prophet  Joseph  made 
the  following  remarks  :  *'  Men  profess  to  pro- 
phesy. I  will  prophesy  that  the  signs  of  the  com- 
ing of  the  Son  of  Man  are  already  commenced.  One 
pestilence  will  desolate  after  another.  We  shall 
soon  have  war  and  bloodshed.  The  moon  will  be 
turned  into  blood.  I  testify  of  these  things,  and  that 
the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  is  nigh,  even  at  your 
doors.  If  our  souls  and  our  bodies  are  not  looking 
forth  for  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man ;  and  after 
we  are  dead,  if  we  are  not  looking  forth,  &c.;  we 
shall  be  among  those  who  are  calling  for  the  rocks  to 
fall  upon  us,  &c.  *  *  *  The  time  is  soon 
coming  when  no  man  will  have  any  peace  but  in 
Zion  and  her  Stakes. 

'*T  saw  men  hunting  the  lives  of  their  own  sons, 
and  brother  murdering  brother,  women  killing  their 
own  daughters,  and  daughters  seeking  the  lives  of 
their  mothers.  I  saw  armies  arrayed  against  armies. 
I  saw  blood,  desolation,  fires.  &c. 

"  The  Son  of  Man  has  said  that  the  mother  shall 
be  against  the  daughter,  and  the  daughter  against  the 
mother,  &c.  These  things  are  at  our  doors.  They 
will  follow  the  Saints  of  God  from  city  to  city. 
Satan  will  rage,  and  the  spirit  of  the  devil  is  now 
enraged.  I  know  not  how  soon  these  things  will 
t^jce  place;    and   with   a  view  of  them,  shall  I  cry 


272  GEMS. 

peace?  No!  I  will  lift  up  my  voice  and  testify  of 
them.  How  long  you  will  have  good  crops,  and  the 
famine  be  kept  off,  I  do  not  know;  when  the  fig  tree 
leaves,  know  then  that  the  summer  is  nigh  at  hand." 

The  Saints  must  Suffer. — September k^^  i839) 
"Explained  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 
Man,  &c. ;  also  that  it  is  a  false  idea  that  the  Saints 
will  escape  all  the  judgments,  whilst  the  wicked 
suffer;  for  all  flesh  is  subject  to  suffer,  and  'the 
righteous  shall  hardly  escape;'  still  many  of  the 
Saints  will  escape,  for  the  just  shall  live  by  faith; 
yet  many  of  the  righteous  shall  fall  a  prey  to  disease, 
to  pestilence,  etc.,  by  reason  of  the  weakness  of  the 
flesh,  and  yet  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  So 
that  it  is  an  unhallowed  principle  to  say  that  such 
and  such  have  transgressed  because  they  have  been 
preyed  upon  by  disease  or  death,  for  all  flesh  is  sub- 
ject to  death;  and  the  Savior  said,  'Judge  not,  lest  ye 
be  judged.' " 

Translation. — October  5,  1840.  *'Many  may 
have  supposed  that  the  doctrine  of  translation  was  a 
doctrine  whereby  men  were  taken  immediately  into 
the  presence  of  God,  and  into  an  eternal  fulness,  but 
this  is  a  mistaken  idea.  Their  place  of  habitation  is 
that  of  the  terrestrial  order,  and  a  place  prepared  for 
such  characters,  be  held  in  reserve  to  be  ministering 
angels  unto  many  planets,  and  who  as  yet  have  not  en- 
tered into  so  great  a  fulness  as  those  who  are  resur- 
rected from  the  dead.  *  *  *  This  distinction 
is  made  between  the  doctrine  of  the  actual  resurrec- 
tion and  translation:  translation  obtains  deliverance 
from  the  tortures  and.  sufferings  of  the  body,  but 
their  existence  will  prolong  as  to  the  labors  and 
toils  of  the  ministry,  before  they  can  enter  into  so 
great  a  rest  and  glory." 

Sacrifice  to  be  Restored. — *'It  is  generally 
supposed  that  sacrifice  was  entirely  done  away  when 
the  Great  Sacrifice  was  offered  up,  and  that  there  will 
be  no  necessity  for  the  ordinance  of  sacrifice  in 
future;  but  those  who  assert  this  are  certainly  not 
acquainted  with  the  duties,  privileges,  and  authority 
of  the  Priesthood,  or  with  the  Prophets.     *        *     ^ 


GEMS.  273 

"These  sacrifices,  as  well  as  every  ordinance  be- 
longing to  the  Priesthood,  will,  when  the  Temple  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  built,  and  the  sons  of  Levi  be  purified, 
be  fully  restored  and  attended  to  in  all  their  powers, 
ramifications,  and  blessings.  This  ever  did  and  will 
exist  when  the  powers  of  the  Melchizedec  Priesthood 
are  sufficiently  manifest;  else  how  can  the  restitution 
of  all  things  spoken  of  by  all  the  holy  Prophets  be 
brought  to  pass?" 

Book  of  Mormon. — November  28,  1841.  In 
council  with  the  Twelve  Apostles,  Joseph  Smith 
said,  **  I  told  the  brethren  that  the  Book  of  Mormon 
was  the  most  correct  of  any  book  on  earth,  and  the 
keystone  of  our  religion,  and  a  man  would  get  nearer 
to  God  by  abiding  by  its  precepts,  than  by  any  other 
book." 

The  Resurrection. — March  20,  1842.  From  a 
sermon  of  Joseph  Smith's:  ^'As  concerning  the  res- 
urrection, I  will  merely  say  that  all  men  will  come 
from  the  grave  as  they  lie  down,  whether  old  or 
young;  there  will  not  be  ^added  unto  their  stature  one 
cubit,'  neither  taken  from  it;  all  will  be  raised  by  the 
power  of  God,  having  spirit  in  their  bodies,  and  not 
blood." 

Spirit  and  Matter. — April  1,1842.  The  Pro- 
phet Joseph  said,  '^  In  tracing  the  thing  to  the  founda- 
tion, and  looking  at  it  philisophically,  we  shall  find  a 
very  material  difference  between  the  body  and  the 
spiiit:  the  body  is  supposed  to  be  organized  matter, 
and  the  spirit,  by  many,  is  thought  to  be  immaterial, 
without  substance.  With  this  latter  statement  we 
should  beg  leave  to  differ,  and  state  that  spirit  is 
a  substance;  that  it  is  material,  but  that  it  is  more 
pure,  elastic,  and  refined  matter  than  the  body;  that 
It  existed  before  the  body,  can  exist  in  the  body,  and 
will  exist  separate  from  the  body,  when  the  body  will 
be  mouldering  in  the  dust;  and  will  in  the  resurrec- 
tion, be  again  united  with  it." 

Must  be  like  God. — April  10,  1842.  Joseph 
Smith  said,  "  If  you  wish  to  go  where  God  is,  you 
must  be  like  God,  or  possess  the  principles  which 
God  possesses,  for  if  we  are  not  drawing  towards 


274  GEMS. 

God  in  principle,  we  are  goin^  from  Him  and  draw- 
ing towards  the  devil.  *  *  «-  A  man  is  saved 
no  faster  than  he  gets  knowledge,  for  if  he  does  not 
get  knowledge,  he  will  be  brought  into  captivity  by 
some  evil  power  in  the  other  world,  as  evil  spirits 
will  have  more  knowledge,  and  consequently  more 
power  than  many  men  who  are  on  the  earth.  Hence 
it  needs  revelation  to  assist  us,  and  give  us  knowl- 
edge of  the  things  of  God.". 

Kkys.— May  i,  1842.  "The  keys  are  certain 
signs  and  words  by  which  false  spirits  and  person- 
ages may  be  detected  from  true,  which  cannot  be 
revealed  to  the  Elders  till  the  Temple  is  completed. 
The  rich  can  only  get  them  in  the  Temple,  the  poor 
may  get  them  on  the  mountain  top  as  Moses  did." 

Charity. — "'The  rich  cannot  be  saved  without 
charity,  giving  to  feed  the  poor  when  and  how  God 
requires." 

Signs. — "There  are  signs  in  heaven,  earth,  and 
hell;  the  Elders  must  know  them  all,  to  be  endowed 
with  power,  to  finish  their  work  and  prevent  imposi- 
tion. The  devil  knows  many  signs,  but  does  not 
know  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  Man,  or  Jesus.  No  one 
can  truly  say  he  knows  God  until  he  has  handled 
something,  and  this  can  only  be  in  the  Holiest  of 
Holies." 

A  PROFKECY.—Augtisl  6.  1842.  "I  prophesied  that 
the  Saints  would  continue  to  suffer  much  affliction  and 
would  be  driven  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  many 
would  apostatize,  others  would  be  put  to  death  by  our 
persecutors,  or  lose  their  hves  in  consequence  of  ex- 
posure or  disease,  and  some  of  you  will  live  to  go  and 
assist  in  making  settlements  and  build  cities  and  see 
the  Saints  become  a  mighty  people  in  the  midst  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains." 

The  Millennium. — Dec^^nder  ^o,  1S42,  "Christ 
and  the  resurrected  Saints  will  reign  over  the  earth 
during  the  thousand  years.  They  will  not  probably 
dwell  on  the  earth,  but  will  visit  it  when  they  please, 
or  when  it  is  necessary  to  govern  it.  There  will  be 
wicked  men  on  the  earth  during  the  thousand  years. 
The  heathen  nations  who  will  not  come  up  to  worship 


GEMS.  275 

will  be  visited  with  the  judgments  of  God,  and  must 
eventually  be  destroyed  from  the  earth.'' 

Sign  of  a  Dove. — January  2^,  1843.  '*The 
sign  of  the  dove  was  instituted  before  the  creation  of 
the  world,  a  witness  for  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the 
Devil  cannot  come  in  the  sign  of  a  dove." 

Coming  of  the  Son  of  Man. — April  6,  1843. 
"  Judah  must  return,  Jerusalem  must  be  rebuilt,  and 
the  Temple,  and  water  come  out  from  under  the 
Temple,  and  the  waters  of  the  Dead  Sea  be  healed. 
It  will  take  some  time  to  build  the  walls  of  the  city 
and  the  Temple,  &c. ;  and  all  this  must  be  done  be- 
fore the  Son  of  Man  will  make  his  appearance. 
There  will  be  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,  signs  in  the 
heavens  above  and  on  the  earth  beneath,  the  sun 
turned  into  darkness  and  the  moon  to  blood,  earth- 
quakes in  divers  places,  the  seas  heaving  beyond 
their  bounds;  then  will  appear  one  grand  sign  of 
the  Son  of  Man  in  heaven.  But  what  will  the  world 
do?  They  will  say  it  is  a  planet,  a  comet,  &c.  But 
the  Son  of  Man  will  come  as  the  sign  of  the  coming 
of  the  Son  of  Man,  which  will  be  as  the  light  of 
the  morning  cometh  out  of  the  east." 

Some  Seek  to  Excel. — May  14,  1843.  *'In  this 
world,  mankind  are  naturally  selfish,  ambitious,  and 
striving  to  excel  above  one  another.  *  *  So  in 
the  other  world  there  is  avariety  of  spirits.  Some  seek 
lo  excel.  And  this  was  the  case  with  Lucifer  when  he 
fell.  He  sought  for  things  which  were  unlawful. 
Hence  he  was  cast  down,  and  it  is  said  he  drew  away 
many  with  him;  and  the  greatness  of  his  punishment 
is,  that  he  shall  not  have  a  tabernacle.  This  is  his 
punishment." 

The  More  Sure  Word  of  Prophecy. — "Now 
for  the  secret  and  grand  key.  Though  they  might 
hear  the  voice  of  God  and  know  that  Jesus  was  the 
Son  of  God,  this  would  be  no  evidence  that  their 
election  and  calling  was  made  sure,  that  they  had 
part  with  Christ,  and  were  joint  heirs  with  him. 
They  then  would  want  that  more  sure  word  of  pro- 
phecy, that  they  were  sealed  in  the  heavens  and 
had  the   promise    of   eternal    life    in    the    kingdom 


276  GEMS. 

of  God.  Then,  having  this  promise  sealed  unto 
them,  it  was  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  sure  and  stead- 
fast." 

Hid  with  Christ  in  GoiD,—Mqy  16,  1843. 
"Your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  and  so  are  many 
others.  Nothing  but  the  unpardonable  sin  can  pre- 
vent you  from  inheriting  eternal  glory,  for  you  are 
sealed  up  by  the  power  of  the  Priesthood  unto  eter- 
nal life,  having  taken  the  step  necessary  for  the  pur- 
pose. *  *  *  The  unpardonable  sin  is  to  shed 
innocent  blood,  or  be  accessory  thereto.  All  other 
sins  will  be  visited  with  judgment  in  the  flesh,  and 
the  spirit  being  delivered  to  the  buffetings  of  Satan 
until  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 

Three  Degrees  in  Celestial  Glory. — "  In 
the  celestial  glory  there  are  three  heavens  or  degrees; 
and  in  order  to  obtain  the  highest,  a  man  must  enter 
into  this  order  of  the  Priesthood;  and  if  he  does  not, 
he  cannot  obtain  it.  He  may  enter  into  the  other, 
but  that  is  the  end  of  his  kingdom:  he  cannot  have 
an  increase." 

Salvation. — May  17,  1843.  "  Salvation  means  a 
man's  being  placed  beyond  the  power  of  all  his  ene- 
mies. The  more  sure  word  of  prophecy  means  a  man's 
knowing  that  he  is  sealed  up  unto  eternal  life  by 
revelation  and  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  through  the 
power  of  the  holy  Priesthood.  It  is  impossible  for  a 
man  to  be  saved  in  ignorance." 

Eternal  Duration  of  Matter.— "Speaking 
of  the  eternal  duration  of  matter,  I  said. — There  is 
no  such  thing  as  immaterial  matter.  All  spirit  is 
matter,  but  is  more  fine  or  pure,  and  can  only  be  dis- 
cerned by  purer  eyes.  We  cannot  see  it;  but  when 
our  bodies  are  purified,  we  shall  see  that  it  is  all 
matter." 

The  Punishment  of  the  Devil. — Afay  21, 
1843.  "The  spirits  in  the  eternal  world  are  like  the 
spirits  in  this  world.  When  those  spirits  have  come 
into  this  world  and  received  tabernacles,  then  died, 
and  again  have  risen  and  received  glorified  bodies, 
they  will  have  an  ascendancy  over  the  spirits  who 
have  no  bodies,  or  kept  not  their  first  estate,  like  the 


GEMS.  277 

Devil.  The  punishment  of  the  Devil  was,  that  he 
should  not  have  a  habitation  like  men.  The  Devil's 
retaliation  is,  he  comes  into  this  world,  binds  up 
men's  bodies,  and  occupies  them  himself.  When  the 
authorities  come  along,  they  eject  him  from  a  stolen 
habitation." 

The  Three  Keys. — "  We  have  no  claim  in  our 
eternal  compact,  in  relation  to  eternal  things,  unless 
our  actions  and  contracts  and  all  things  tend  to  this 
end.  But  after  all  this,  you  have  got  to  make  your 
calling  and  election  sure. 

"If  this  injunction  would  lie  largely  on  those  to 
whom  it  was  spoken,  how  much  more  those  of  the 
present  generation.  First  key:  Knowledge  is  the 
power  of  salvation.  Second  key:  Make  your  calling 
and  election  sure.  Third  key:  It  is  one  thing  to  be 
on  the  mount  and  hear  the  excellent  voice,  &c  ,  &c. ; 
and  another  to  hear  the  voice  declare  to  you,  you 
have,  a  part  and  lot  in  that  kingdom." 

John  The  Battist.— May  24,  1843.  "After 
naming  his  text,  the  Prophet  remarked  that  some  one 
had  asked  him  the  meaning  of  the  expression  of 
Jesus — 'Among  those  born  of  women,  there  has  not 
arisen  a  greater  than  John;'  and  said  he  had  prom- 
ised to  answer  it  in  public  and  he  would  do  it  then. 

*'  It  could  not  have  been  on  account  of  the  mira- 
cles John  performed,  for  he  did  no  miracles;  but  it 
was — First,  because  he  was  trusted  with  a  divine  mis- 
sion of  preparing  the  way  before  the  face  of  the 
Lord.  Who  was  trusted  with  such  a  mission  before 
or  since?  No  man.  Second,  he  was  trusted  and  it 
was  required  at  his  hand  to  baptize  the  Son  of  Man. 
Whoever  did  that?  Who  ever  had  so  great  a  privilege 
or  glory?  Who  ever  led  the  Son  of  God  into  the 
waters  of  baptism,  beholding  the  Ho/jy  Ghost  des- 
cend upon  him  in  the  sign  of  a  dove?     No  man. 

"  Third,  John  at  that  time  was  the  only  legal  ad- 
ministrator holding  the  keys  of  power  there  was  on 
earth  The  keys,  the  kingdom,  the  power,  the  glory 
had  departed  from  the  Jews;  and  John,  the  son  of 
Zachariah,  by  the  anointing  and  decree  of  heaven, 
held  the  keys  of  power  at  that  time." 


27?)  GEMS. 

Ihe  Principle  that  Crucified  Jesus  Christ. 
— June  II,  1843.  *^  Many  men  will  say,'  *  I  will  never 
forsake  you,  but  will  stand  by  you  at  all  times.'  But 
the  moment  you  teach  them  some  of  the  mysteries  of 
the  kingdom  of  God  that  are  retained  in  the  heavens 
and  are  to  be  revealed  to  the  children  of  men  when 
they  are  prepared  for  them,  they  will  be  the  first  to 
stone  you  and  put  you  to  death.  It  was  this  same 
principle  that  crucified  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
will  cause  the  people  to  kill  the  Prophets  in  this 
generation." 

A  Fulness  of  Ordinances  Necessary.— ^^All 
men  who  become  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  of 
Jesus  Christ  will  have  to  receive  the  fulness  of  the 
ordinances  of  his  kingdom;  and  those  who  will  not 
receive  all  the  ordinances  will  come  short  of  the  ful- 
ness of  that  glory,  if  they  do  not  lose  the  whole." 

The  World  of  Spirits. — ^' Hades,  the  Greek, 
or  Shaole,  the  Hebrew:  these  two  significations  mean 
a  world  of  spirits.  Hades,  Shaole,  paradise,  spirits 
in  prison,  are  all  one:  it  is  a  world  of  spirits. 

**  The  righteous  and  the  wicked  all  go  to  the  same 
world  of  spirits  until  the  resurrection.  *  ■•^•• 
The  great  misery  of  departed  spirits  in  the  world  of 
spirits,  where  they  go  after  death,  is  to  know  that 
they  come  short  of  the  glory  that  others  enjoy  and 
that  they  might  have  enjoyed  themselves,  and  they 
are  their  own  accusers." 

Three  Persons  in  Heaven  holding  the 
Keys  of  Power. — '^Any  person  that  has  seen  the 
heavens  opened  knows  that  there  are  three  person- 
ages in  the  heavens  who  hold  the  keys  of  power,  and 
one   presides   over  all.        *  *  *         As   the 

Father  hath  power  in  himself,  so  hath  the  Son  power 
in  himself,  to  lay  down  his  life  and  take  it  again,  so 
he  has  a  body  of  his  own.  The  Son  doeth  what  he 
hath  seen  the  Father  do:  then  the  Father  hath  some 
day  laid  down  his  hfe  and  taken  it  again;  so  he  has 
a  body  of  his  own;  each  one  will  be  in  his  own 
body." 

Forgive  all  Men. — Jtdy  9,  1843.  ^^oseph  re- 
marked   that    all    was   well  between    him  and   the 


GEmS.  279 

heavens;  that  he  had  no  enmity  against  anyone; 
and  as  the  prayer  of  Jesus,  or  his  pattern,  so  prayed 
Joseph — *FatheBs  forgive  me  my  trespasses  as  I  for- 
give those  who  trespass  against  me,'  for  I  freely 
forgive  all  men.  If  we  would  secure  and  cultivate 
the  love  of  others,  we  must  love  others,  even  our 
enemies  as  well  as  friends." 

Necessity  of  Baptism. — The  Gospel  requires 
baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins, 
which  is  the  meaning  of  the  word  in  the  original 
language — namely,  to  bury  or  immerse.  *  * 
But  I  further  believe  in  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  by 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  *  *  Might  as  well 
baptize  a  bag  of  sand  as  a  man,  if  not  done  in  view 
of  the  remission  of  sins  and  getting  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Baptism  by  water  is  but  half  a  baptism,  and 
is  good  for  nothing  without  the  other  half — that  is, 
the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Sealing  of  the  Servants  of  God. — August 
13,  1843.  "Four  destroying  angels  holding  power 
over  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth  until  the  servants 
of  God  are  sealed  in  their  foreheads,  which  signifies 
sealing  the  blessing  upon  their  heads,  meaning  the 
everlasting  covenant,  thereby  making  their  calling 
and  election  sure.  When  a  seal  is  put  upon  the 
father  and  mother,  it  secures  their  posterity,  so  that 
they  cannot  be  lost,  but  will  be  saved  by  virtue  of  the 
covenant  of  their  father  and  mother." 

The  King  of  Salem. — Augtist  18,  1843.  "The 
King  of  Shiloam  (Salem)  had  power  and  authority 
over  that  of  Abraham,  holding  the  key  and  the 
power  of  endless  life." 

*«The  Sacrifice  required  of  Abraham  in  the 
offering  up  of  Isaac  shows  that  if  a  man  would  at- 
tain to  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  an  endless  life,  "he 
must  sacrifice  all  things.  When  God  offers  a  bless- 
ing or  knowledge  to  a  man,  and  he  refuses  to  receive 
it,  he  will  be  damned." 

The  fulness  of  the  Melchisedek  Priest- 
hood.— ''Those  holding  the  fulness  of  the  Melchise- 
dek Priesthood  are  kings  and  priests  of  the  Most 
High  God,  holding  the  keys  of  power  and  blessings! 


28o  GEMS. 

In  fact,  that  Priesthood  is  a  perfect  law  of  theocracy, 
and  stands  as  God  to  give  laws  to  the  people,  admin- 
istering endless  lives  to  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
Adam. 

**Abram  says  to  Melchisedek,  I  believe  all  that 
thou  hast  taught  me  concerning  the  Priesthood  and 
the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man;  so  Melchisedek 
ordained  Abram,  and  sent  him  away.  Abram  re- 
joiced, saying,  Now  I  have  a  Priesthood.  *  * 
Elijah  shall  reveal  the  -covenants  to  seal  the  hearts 
of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  children  to 
the  fathers.  The  anointing  and  sealing  is  to  be 
called,  elected,  and  made  sure." 

Spirits  of  the  ]\jST,—Ocfoder  9,  1843.  "Spirits 
can  only  be  revealed  in  flaming  fire  or  glory.  Angels 
have  advanced  further,  their  light  and  glory  being 
tabernacled;  and  hence  they  appear  in  bodily  shape. 
The  spirits  of  just  men  are  made  ministering  ser- 
vants to  those  who  are  sealed  unto  life  eternal,  and  it 
is  through  them  that  the  sealing  power  comes 
down.        *        * 

*'The  spirits  of  the  just  are  exalted  to  a  greater 
and  more  glorious  work;  hence  they  are  blessed  in 
their  departure  to  the  world  of  spirits.  Enveloped 
in  flaming  fire,  they  are  not  far  from  us,  and  know 
and  understand  our  thoughts,  feelings,  and  notions, 
and  are  often  pained  therewith. 

"Flesh  and  blood  cannot  go  there;  but  flesh  and 
bones,  quickened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  can." 

The  Kingdom  of  God. — October  \^^  1843.  "Itis 
one  thing  to  see  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  another 
thing  to  enter  into  it.  We  must  have  a  change  of 
heart  to  see  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  subscribe  the 
articles  of  adoption  to  enter  therein. 

Adultery. — November  25,    1843.      *^  ^^  ^    rci'^x\ 
commit   adultery,    he   cannot   receive    the   celestial 
kingdom  of  God.     Even  if  he  is  saved  in  any  king-  . 
dom,  it  cannot  be  the  celestial  kingdom." 

Saviors  on  Mount  Zion. — January  20,  1844. 
"  The  Bible  says,  '  Iwill  send  you  Elijah  the  Prophet 
before  the  coming  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of 
the  Lord;  and  he  shall  turn  t^je  hearts  of  the  fathers 


GEMS.  281 

to  the  children,  and  the  hearts  of  the  children  to  the 
fathers,  lest  I  come  and  smite  the  earth  with  a 
curse.' 

*'Now,  the  word  turn  here  should  be  translated 
hind^  or  seal.  But  what  is  the  object  of  this  import- 
ant mission?  or  how  is  it  to  be  fuliilled?  The  keys 
are  to  be  delivered,  the  spirit  of  Elijah  is  to  come, 
the  Gospel  to  be  estabHshed,  the  Saints  of  God 
gathered,  Zion  built  up,  and  the  Saints  to  come  up  as 
Saviors  on  Mount  Zion. 

''But  how  are  they  to  become  Saviors  on  Mount 
Zion?  By  building  their  temples,  erecting  their 
baptismal  fonts,  and  going  forth  and  receiving  all  the 
ordinances,  baptisms,  confirmations,  washings, 
anointings,  ordinations,  and  seaHng  powers  upon 
their  heads,  in  behalf  of  all  their  progenitors  who 
are  dead,  and  redeem  them  that  ihey  may  come  forth 
in  the  first  resurrection  and  be  exalted  to  thrones  of 
glory  with  them;  and  herein  is  the  chain  that  binds 
the  hearts  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the 
children  to  the  fathers,  which  fulfils  the  mission  of 
Elijah.        *        * 

"The  Saints  have  not  too  much  time  to  save-and 
redeem  their  dead,  and  gather  together  their  living 
relatives,  that  they  may  be  saved  also,  before  the 
earth  will  be  smitten,  and  the  consumption  decreed 
falls  upon  the  world." 

The  Spirit  of  Eli  as. — March  10,  1844.  "The 
spirit  of  Elias  is  to  prepare  the  way  for  a  greater 
revelation  of  God,  which  is  the  Priesthood  of  Elias, 
or  the  Priesthood  that  Aaron  was  ordained  unto. 
And  when  God  sends  a  man  into  the  world  to  pre- 
pare for  a  greater  work,  holding  the  keys  of  the  power 
of  Elias,  it  was  called  the  doctrine  of  Elias,  even 
from  the  early  ages  of  the  world.  *  *  * 
This  is  the  Elias  spoken  of  in  the  last  days,  and  here 
is  the  rock  upon  which  many  split,  thinking  the  time 
was  past  in  the  days  of  John  and  Christ,  and  no  more 
to  be.  But  the  spirit  of  Elias  was  revealed  to  me, 
and  1  know  it  is  true ;  therefore  I  speak  with  bold- 
ness, for  I  know  verily  my  doctrine  is  true." 

The  Spirit  of  Elijah. — "Now  for  Elijah.  The 


252  GEMS. 

spirit,  power,  and  calling  of  Elijah  is,  that  ye  have 
power  to  hold  the  keys  of  the  revelations,  ordi- 
nances, oracles,  powers,  and  endowments  of  the  ful- 
ness of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood  and  of  the  king- 
dom of  God  on  the  earth ;  and  to  receive,  obtain,  and 
perform  all  the  ordinances  belonging  to  the  kingdom 
of  God.  even  unto  the  turning  of  the  hearts  of  the 
fathers  unto  the  children,  and  the  hearts  of  the  chil- 
dren unto  the  fathers,  even  those  who  are  in  heaven. 
*  *  Now   comes  the  point.       What  is  this 

office  and  work  of  Elijah?  It  is  one  of  the  greatest 
and  most  important  subjects  that  God  has  revealed. 
He  should  send  Elijah  to  seal  the  children  to  the 
fathers,  and  the  fathers  to  the  children.  *  * 
I  wish  you  to  understand  this  subject,  for  it  is  import- 
ant; and  if  you  will  receive  it,  this  is  the  spirit  of 
Elijah,  that  we  redeem  our  dead,  and  connect  our- 
selves with  our  fathers  which  are  in  heaven,  and  seal 
up  our  dead  to  come  forth  in  the  first  resurrection; 
and  here  we  want  the  power  of  Elijah  to  seal  those 
who  dwell  on  earth  to  those  who  dwell  in  heaven. 
This  is  the  power  of  Elijah  and  the  keys  of  the  king- 
dom of  Jehovah.  *  *  Then  what  you  seal 
on  earth,  by  the  keys  of  Elijah,  is  sealed  in'heaven; 
and  this  is  the  power  of  Elijah,  and  this  is  the  differ- 
ence between  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias  and 
Elijah ;  for  while  the  spirit  of  Elias  is  a  forerunner, 
the  power  of  Elijah  is  sufficient  to  make  our  calling 
and  election  sure.  *  *  We  cannot  be  perfect 
without  the  fathers,  etc.  We  must  have  revelations 
from  them,  and  we  can  see  that  the  doctrine  of  reve- 
lation as  far  transcends  the  doctrine  of  no  reve- 
lation as  knowledge  is  above  ignorance ;  for  one 
truth  revealed  from  heaven  is  worth  all  the  sectarian 
notions  in  existence. 

"This  spirit  of  Elijah  was  manifest  in  the  days  of 
the'apostles,  in  delivering  certain  ones  to  the  buffet- 
ings  of  Satan,  that  they  might  be  saved  in  the  day  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  They  were  sealed  by  the  spirit  of 
Elijah  unto  the  damnation  of  hell  until'the  day  of  the 
Lord,  or  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ.        *        * 

"According  to  the  Scriptures,  if  men  have  received 


GiiMS.  283 

the  good  word  of  God,  and  tasted  of  the  powers  of 
the  world  to  come,  if  they  shall  fall  away,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  renew  them  again,  seeing  they  have  crucified 
the  Son  of  God  afresh,  and  put  him  to  open  shame; 
so  there  is  a  possibihty  of  jfalling  away:  you  could 
not  be  renewed  again,  and  the  power  of  Elijah  can- 
not seal  against  this  sin,  for  this  is  a  reserve  made  in 
the  seals  and  power  of  the  Priesthood.        *        * 

"A  murderer,  for  instance,  one  that  sheds  innocent 
blood,  cannot  have  forgiveness.  .  David  sought  re- 
pentance at  the  hand  of  God  carefully,  with  tears,  for 
the  murder  of  Uriah;  but  he  could  only  get  it 
through  hell:  he  got  a  promise  that  his  soul  should 
not  be  left  in  hell.  Although  David  was  a  king,  he 
never  did  obtain  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elijah  and 
'  the  fulness  of  the  Priesthood;  and  the  Priesthood 
that  he  received,  and  the  throne  and  kingdom  of 
David  is  to  be  taken  from  him  and  given  to  another 
by  the  name  of  David  in  the  last  days,  raised  up  out 
of  his  lineage. 

"This  is  the  case  with  murderers.  They  could  not 
be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins,  for  they  had 
shed  innocent  blood." 

The  Spirit  of  Messiah. — "The  spirit  of  Elias 
is  first,  Elijah  second,  and  Messiah  last.  -Elias  is  a 
forerunner  to  prepare  the  way,  and  the  spirit  and 
power  of  Elijah  is  to  come  after,  holding  the  keys  of 
power,  building  the  Temple  to  the  cap  stone,  placing 
the  seals  of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood  upon  the 
house  of  Israel,  and  making  all  things  ready;  then 
Messiah  comes  to  his  Temple,  which  is  last  of  all. 
Messiah  is  above  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elijah,  for 
he  made  the  world,  and  was  that  spiritual  rock  unto 
Moses  in  the  wilderness.  Elijah  was  to  come  and 
prepare  the  way  and  build  up  the  kingdom  before  the 
coming  of  the  great  day  of  the  Lord,  although  the 
spirit  of  Elias  might  begin  it." 

Eternal  Lwjl.— April  j,  1844.  "Here,  then,  is 
eternal  life — to  know  the  only  wise  and  true  God;  and 
you  have  got  to  learn  how  to  be  Gods  yourselves,  and 
to  be  kings  and  priests  to  God,  the  same  as  all  Gods 
have  done  before  you, — namely,  by  going  from  one 


284  GEMS. 

small  degree  to  another,  and  from  a  small  capacity  to 
a  great  one;  from  grace  to  grace,  from  exaltation  to 
exaltation,  until  you  attain  to  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  and  are  able  to  dwell  in  everlasting  burnings, 
and  to  sit  in  glory,  as  do  those  who  sit  enthroned  in 
everlasting  power." 

All  Revelations  are  Spiritual. — "All  things 
whatsoever  God  of  his  infinite  wisdom  has  seen  fit 
and  proper  to  reveal  to  us,  while  we  are  dwell- 
ing in  mortality,  in  regard  to  our  mortal  bodies, 
are  revealed  to  us  in  the  abstract  and  independent  of 
affinity  of  this  mortal  tabernacle,  but  are  revealed  to 
our  spirits  precisely  as  though  we  had  no  bodies  at 
all;  and  those  revelations  which  will  save  our  spirits 
will  save  our  bodies.  God  reveals  them  to  us  in 
view  of  no  eternal  dissolution  of  the  body,  or  taber-. 
nacle.  Hence  the  responsibih'ty,  the  awful  responsi- 
biHty,  that  rests  upon  us,  in  relation  to  our  dead;  for 
all  the  spirits  who  have  not  obeyed  the  Gospel  in  the 
flesh  must  either  obey  it  in  the  spirit  or  be  damned. 
*  *  *  The  greatest  responsibility  in  this 
world  that  God  has  laid  upon  us  is  to  seek  after  our 
dead.  The  Apostle  says,  *They  without  us  cannot 
be  made  perfect;'  for  it  is  necessary  that  the  sealing 
power  should  be  in  our  hands  to  seal  our  children 
and  our  dead  for  the  fulness  of  the  dispensation  of 
times — a  dispensation  to  meet  the  promises  made  by 
Jesus  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world  for 
the  salvation  of  man." 

Sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost. — "All  sins,  and 
all  blasphemies,  and  every  transgression,  except  one, 
that  man  can  be  guilty  of,  may  be  forgiven ;  and  there 
is  a  salvation  for  all  men,  either  in  this  world  or  the 
world  to  come,  who  have  not  committed  the  unpar- 
donable sin,  there  being  a  provision  either  in  this 
world  or  the  world  of  spirits.  Hence  God  hath 
made  a  provisioi\  that  every  spirit  in  the  eternal  world 
can  be  ferreted  out  and  saved,  unless  he  has  commit- 
ted that  unpardonable  sin  which  cannot  be  remitted 
to  him  either  in  this  world  or  the  world  of  spirits. 
God  has  wrought  out  a  salvation  for  all  men,  unless 
they  have  committed  a  certain  sin ;    and  every  man 


GEMS.  285 

who  has  a  friend  in  the  eternal  world  can  save  him, 
unless  he  has  committed  the  unpardonable  sin.  And 
so  you  can  see  how  you  can  be  a  savior." 

The  Contention  in  Heaven. — "The  conten- 
tion in  heaven  was — Jesus  said  there  would  be  cer- 
tain souls  that  would  not  be  saved;  and  the  Devil 
said  he  could  save  them  all,  and  laid  his  plans  before 
the  grand  council,  who  gave  their  vote  in  favor  of 
Jesus  Christ.  So  the  Devil  rose  up  in  rebellion 
against  God,  and  was  cast  down,  with  all  who  put  up 
their  heads  for  him." 

Foreordination  of  Man. — May  12,  1844.  '*Ev- 
ery  man  who  has  a  calling  to  minister  to  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  world  was  ordained  to  that  very  purpose 
in  the  Grand  Council  of  heaven  before  this  world 
was." 

God  DViTELLS  in  Etern^^lFire. — "God  Almighty 
himself  dwells  in  eternal  fire:  flesh  and  blood  cannot 
go  there,  for  all  corruption  is  devoured  by  the  fire.  Our 
God  is  a  consuming  fire.  tVhen  our  flesh  is  quick- 
ened by  the  Spirit,  there  will  be  no  blood  in  this  tab- 
ernacle.    Some  dwell  in  higher  glory  than  others." 

The  Resurrection. — "All  men  who  are  immor- 
tal dwell  in  everlasting  burnings.  You  cannot  go 
anywhere  but  where  God  can  find  you  out.  All  men 
are  born  to  die,  and  all  men  must  rise;  all  must  enter 
eternity. 

"In  order  for  yoM  lo  receive  your  children  to  your- 
self, you  must  havf  u  promise — some  ordinance,  some 
blessing,  in  order  to  ascend  above  principalities,  or 
else  it  may  be  an  angel.  They  must  rise  just  as  they 
died:  we  can  there  hail  our  lovely  infants  with  the 
same  glory — the  sa^ne  loveliness  in  the  celestial  glory, 
where  they  all  enjoy  alike.  They  differ  in  stature, 
in  size:  the  sarae  glorious  spirit  gives  them 
the  likeness  of  gloTy  and  bloom;  the  old  man  with 
his  silvery  hairs  w^\l  glory  in  bloom  and  beauty.  No 
man  can  describe  i*^^  to  you — no  man  can  write  it." 

Council  of  High 'Priests. — February  12,  1834. 
The  Prophet  Joseph  said:  "No  man  is  capable  of 
judging  a  matter,  in  Council,  unless  his  own  heart  is 
pure;    and  that  w     frequently    are    so     filled    with 


286  GEMS, 

prejudice,  or  have  a  beam  in  our  own  eye,  that  we 
are  not  capable  of  passing  right  decisions,  etc. 

''But  to  return  to  the  subject  of  order:  In  ancient 
days,  Councils  were  conducted  with  strict  propriety, 
that  no  one  was  allowed  to  whisper,  be  weary,  leave 
the  room,  or  get  uneasy  in  the  least,  until  the  voice  of 
the  Lord,  by  revelation,  or  the  voice  of  the  Council 
by  the  Spirit  was  obtained,  which  has  not  been  ob- 
served in  this  Church  to  the  present. 

''It  was  understood  in  ancient  days,  that  if  one 
man  could  stay  in  Council,  another  could;  and  if  the 
President  could  spend  his  time,  the  members  could 
also;  but  in  our  Councils,  generally,  one  will  be  un- 
easy, another  asleep;  one  praying,  another  not; 
one's  mind  on  the  business  of  the  Council,  and  ano- 
ther thinking  on  something  else,  etc. 

''Our  acts  are  rendered,  and  at  a  future  day  they 
will  be  laid  before  us,  and  if  we  should  fail  to  judge 
right  and  injure  our  fellow  beings,  they  may  be  there, 
perhaps,  condemn  us;  there  they  are  of  great  conse- 
quence, and  to  me  the  consequence  appears  to  be  of 
force,  beyond  anything  which  I  am  able  to  express, 
etc.  Ask  yourselves,  brethren,  how  much  you  have 
exercised  yourselves  in  prayer  since  you  heard  of 
this  Council;  and  if  you  are  now  prepared  to  sit  in 
Council  upon  the  soul  of  your  brother." 

The  High  Council.— 72^/y  11,  1840.  "The 
High  Council  met  at  my  office,  when  I  taught  them 
principles  relating  to  their  duty  as  a  Council^  and 
that  they  might  be  guided  by  the  same  in  future,  I 
ordered  it  to  be  recorded  as  follows:  'That  the 
Council  should  try  no  case  without  both  parties 
being  present,  or  having  had  an  opportunity  to  be 
present,  neither  should  they  hear  one  party's  com- 
plaint before  his  case  is  brought  up  for  trial;  neither 
should  they  suff^er  the  character  of  any  one  to  be  ex- 

Eosed  before  the  High  Council  without  the  person 
eing  present  and  ready  to  defend  him  or  herself; 
that  the  minds  of  the  Councilors  be.  not  prejudiced  for 
or  against  any  one  whose  case  they  may  possibly 
have  to  act  upon." 

By    the    Prophet   Joseph,    Jatiuary  5,  1841. 


GEMS.  ^        287 

'*At  the  organization  of  a  school  of  instruction. 
Description  of  Paul:  He  is  about  five  feet  high; 
very  dark  hair;  dark  complexion;  dark  skin;  large 
Roman  nose;  sharp  face;  small  black  eyes,  penetrat- 
ing as  eternity;  round  shoulders;  a  whining  voice, 
except  when  elevated,  and  then  it  almost  resembled 
the  roaring  of  a  lion.  He  was  a  good  orator,  active 
and  diligent,  always  employing  himself  in  doing 
good  to  his  fellow  man-." 

Different  Degrees  of  the  Priesthood  of 
Melchisedek. — ^'Answer  to  the  question.  Was  the 
Priesthood  of  Melchisedek  taken  away  when  Moses 
died?  All  Priesthood  is  Melchisedek,  but  there  are 
different  portions  or  degrees  of  it.  That  portion 
which  brought  Moses  to  speak  with  God  face  to  face 
was  taken  away;  but  that  which  brought  the  ministry 
of  angels  remained.  All  the  prophets  had  the  Mel- 
chisedek Priesthood  and  were  ordained  by  God 
himself. 

The  world  and  earth  are  not  synonymous  terms. 
The  world  is  the  human  family. — This  earth  was 
organized  or  formed  out  of  other  planets  which  were 
broken  up  and  remodeled  and  made  into  the  one  on 
which  we  live. 

The  elements  are  etenial.  That  which  has  a  begin- 
ning will  surely  have  an  end;  take  a  ring,  it  is  without 
beginning  or  end — cut  it  for  a  beginning  place  and  at 
the  same  time  you  have  an  ending  place. 

A  key:  Every  principle  proceeding  from  God  is 
eternal  and  any  principle  which  is  not  eternal  is  of 
the  devil.  The  sun  has  no  beginning  or  end;  the 
rays  which  proceed  from  himself  have  no  bounds, 
consequently  are  eternal. 

So  it  is  with  God.  If  the  soul  of  man  had  a 
beginning  it  will  surely  have  an  end.  In  the  transla- 
tion Svithout  form  and  void'  it  should  read,  empty 
and  desolate.  The  word  created  should  be  formed, 
or  organized.'' " 

Observation  on  the  Sectarian  God. — "That 
which  is  without  body,  parts  and  passions  is  nothing. 
There  is  no  other  God  in  heaven  but  that  God  who 
has  flesh  and  bones.     John^  5.  26,  As  the  Father 


288         ,  GEMS. 

hath  life  in  himself,  even  so  hath  he  given  to  the  Son 
to  have  life  in  himself.  God  the  Father  took  life  unto 
himself  precisely  as  Jesus  did 

*'  The  first  step  in  the  salvation  of  man  is  the  laws 
of  eternal  and  self-existent  principles.  Spirits  are 
eternal.  At  the  first  organization  in  heaven  we  were 
all  present,  and  saw  the  Savior  chosen  and  appointed 
and  the  plan  of  salvation  made,  and  we  sanctioned  it. 

We  came  to  this  earth  that  we  might  have  a  body 
and  present  it  pure  before  God  in  the  celestial  king- 
dom. The  great  principle  of  happiness  consists  in 
having  a  body.  The  devil  has  no  body,  and  herein 
is  his  punishment.  He  is  pleased  when  he  can  obtain 
the  tabernacle  of  man,  and  when  cast  out  by  the  Sa- 
vior he  asked  to  go  into  the  herd  of  swine,  showing 
that  he  would  prefer  a  swine's  body  to  having  none. 
All  beings  who  have  bodies  have  power  over  those 
who  have  not.  The  devil  has  no  power  over  us  only 
as  we  permit  him.  The  moment  we  revolt  at  any- 
thing which  comes  from  God,  the  devil  takes  power. 
This  earth  will  be  rolled  back  into  the  presence  of 
God,  and  crowned  with  celestial  glory." 

Three  Independent  Principles. — May  i6, 
1841.  ''There  are  three  independent  principles;  the 
Spirit  of  God,  the  spirit  of  man,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
devil.     All  men  have  power  to  resist  the  devil. 

"They  who  have  tabernacles,  have  power  over 
those  who  have  not.  The  doctrine  of  eternal  judg- 
ment; Acts  2.  41.  Peter  preached,  Repent,  and  be 
baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins,  &c. ;  but  in  Acts  3.  19  he  says.  Repent 
and  be  converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out 
when  the  times  of  redemption  shall  come,  and  he 
shall  send  Jesus,  &c. 

^'Remission  of  sins  by  baptism  was  not  to  be 
preached  to  murderers.  AH  the  pi  iests  of  Christen- 
dom might  pray  for  a  murderer  on  the  scaflbld  forever, 
but  could  not  avail  so  much  as  a  gnat  towards  their 
forgiveness.  There  is  no  forgiveness  for  murderers; 
they  will  have  to  wait  until  the  times  of  redemption 
shall  come,  and  that  in  hell.  Peter  had  the  keys  of 
eternal   judgment,   and  he  saw   David  in   hell,  and 


BOOK  OF   MORMON    CHRONOLOGY.  289 

knew  for  what  reason,  and  that  David  would  have  to 
remain  there  until  the  resurrection  at  the  coming  of 
Christ.  Ro7nans  ^.  All  election  that  can  be  found 
in  the  scriptures  is  according  to  the  flesh,  and  per- 
taining to  the  Priesthood. 

The  Three  Personages. — Everlasting  cove- 
nant was  made  between  three  personages  before  the 
organization  of  this  earth,  and  relates  to  their  dispen- 
sation of  things  to  men  on  the  earth:  these  person- 
ages, according  to  Abraham's  record,  are  called  God 
the  first,  the  Creator;  God  the  second,  the  Redeemer; 
and  God  the  third,  the  witness  or  Testator." 

Lehi's  Travels. — Revelation  to  Joseph  the  Seer, 
The  course  that  Lehi  and  his  company  traveled  from 
Jerusalem  to  the  place  of  their  destination: 

They  traveled  nearly  a  south,  southeast  direction 
until  they  came  to  the  nineteenth  degree  of  north  lati- 
tude; then,  nearly  east  to  the  Sea  of  Arabia,  then 
sailed  in  a  southeast  direction,  and  landed  on  the  con- 
tinent of  South  America,  in  Chili,  thirty  degrees 
south  latitude. 


BOOK   OF   MORMON   CHRONOLOGY. 


The  events  marked  fare  those  about  which  the  record  docs 
not  appear  sufficiently  explicit  to  make  the  year  certain.  It  is  oc- 
casionally difficult  to  decide  whether  the  circumstance  narrated 
took  place  near  the  close  of  one  year,  or  in  the  commencement  of 
the  next. 

The  four  dates  marked  thus  **  are  based  upon  the  supposition 
that  Zeniff  re-occupied  the  land  of  Nephi,  B.  C.  200.  This  may 
not  be  the  exact  year,  but  it  is  approximate. 

The  three  dates  marked  thus  *  are  based  upon  the  idea  that  the 
"younff  man,"  Alma,  was  twenty-five  years  old  when  the  prophet 
Abinadi  was  martyred. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  appears  to  furnish  no  clue  to  the  date  of 
Lehi's  colony  landing  in  South  America.  It  is  supposed  to  have 
be^i  about  twelyiB  yeais  after  its  departure  from  Jerusalem. 


290  BOOK  OF  MORMON   CHRONOLOGY. 

B.  C.  signifies  before  the  birth  of  Christ;  A.C.  after  Clirist;  N. 
A.  signifies  "Nephite  Annals."  or  years  after  the  departure  oi 
Lehi  from  Jerusalem;  Y.  J.,  years  of  the  Judges,  or  of  the  Re- 
public. 

B.C.  N.A.  Y.J. 

Lehi  and  colony  leave  Jerusalem,  and  journey  to  the 
valley  of  Lemuel,  by  the  Red  sea.  600      1 

The  sons  of  Lehi  return  to  Jerusalem  and  obtain  the 
sacred  records  kept  by  Laban. 

Lehi  and  colony  reach 'the  land  Bountiful,  where  Ne- 
phi  commences  to  build  a  ship.  592      9 

Mulek,  son  of  King  Zedekiah,  with  a  colony  leaves 
Jerusalem. 

Lehi  and  his  colony  reach  South  America.  590    11 

A  temple  built,  Jacob  and  Joseph  consecrated 
priests,  &c.  before.  571    ^ 

Wars  and  contentions,  between  Nephites  and  Laman- 
ites,  during  ten  years  previous  to  561    40 

Nephi  transfers  the  records  to  Jacob.  The  book  of 
Jacob  opens.  646    55 

Jacob,  having  committed  the  records  into  the  hands  of 
his  son  Enos,  the  latter  transfers  them  to  his  son  Ja- 
rom.  Many  wars  between  the  Nephitfes  and  Laman- 
ites  during  the  days  of  Enos.  421  180 

The  Nephites  have  increased  and  scattered  much  over 
the  land ;  they  strictly  observe  the  law  of  Moses  and 
are  prospered. 

The  Lamanites,  much  more  numerous  than  the  Ne- 
phites, often  invade  the  Nephite  Jands.  401  200 

Jarom  transfers  the  records  to  Omni.  Many  wars  and 
contentions  during  Jarom's  days.  862  239 

Omni  has  frequent  wars  with  the  Lamanites.  324  277 

Omni  transfers  the  records  to  Ammaron.  318  283 

The  more  wicked  portion  of  the  Nephites  destroyed, 
the  righteous  preserved.  Ammaron  transfers  the  re- 
cords to  Chemish.  280  321 

**  About  this  date  Zeniff"  leaves  Zarahemla,  with  a 
colony,  to  re-occupy  the  land  of  Nephi.  He  makes  a 
treaty  with  King  Lamnn,  and  obtains  the  lands  of 
Lehi-Nephi  and  Shemlon.  200  401 

**  The  Lamanites  make  war  with  the  people  of  Zeniff, 
but  are  repulsed  with  a  loss  ot  3043  men.  183  418 

Alma,  the  elder,  born  in  the  land  of  Nephi.  173  428 

**  King  Laman  having  died,  his  son  attacks  the  people 
of  Zenifi",  but  is  driven  back.  161  440 

**Zeniflf  confers  the  kingdom  on  his  son  Noah,  160  441 

Mosiah  I,  born  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla.  154  447 

*The  prophet  Abinadi  appears  in  the  land  Nephi,  and 
reproves  Noah  and  his  subjects  for  their  iniquities.      150  451 

♦Abinadi  again  appears,  prophesies,  and  is  martyred.    148  4i?3 

*Alma  establishes  a  Christian  Church  at  the  waters 
of  Mormon,  and  afterwards,  because  of  King  Noah's 
persecutions,  removes  with  his  people  to  Helam.        147  454 

First  Christian  Church  established  in  Zarahemla,  by 


BOOK.  OF  MORMON   CHRONOLOGY.  29I 

B.C.  N. A.  Y.J. 

King  Benjamin,  who,  at  the  same  time,  consecrates 

his  son  Mosiah  king.  125  476 

A  company  sent  by  Limhi,  son  of  Noah,  to  find  Zara- 
hemla,  wander  into  the  north  country,  and  discover 
numerous  relics  of  the  Jaredites.  123  478 

King  Benjamin  dies.  A  company  of  men,  under  Am- 
mon,  start  from  Zarahemla  to  find  their  brethren  in 
the  land  of  Nephi.  They  succeed,  and  help  them  lO 
escape  from  the  Lamanites,  and  bring  them  safely  to 
Zarahemla.  122  479 

Moroni,  commander  In  chief  of  the  Nephite  armies, 
born.  99  502 

Alma,  the  elder,  dies,  aged  eighty-two.  King  Mosiah  I, 
dies,  aged  sixty-three. 

Alma.the  younger,  elected  Chief  Judge  of  the  Republic. 

The  sons  of  Mosiah,  with  other  Elders,  start  on  a  mis- 
sion to  the  Lamanites  in  the  land  of  Nephi. 

Priestcraft  first  introduced  among  the  Nephites,  by 
Nehor. 

Nehor  slays  the  aged  patriarch,  Gideon,  is  tried,  con- 
demned and  executed. 

t  King  Lamoni  and  his  household  converted  by  Am- 
mon.  91  510      1 

Priestcraft  spreads  among  the  Nephites;  pride  and 
contention  develop  in  the  church. 

fA  church  established  by  Ammon  amongst  the  Laman- 
ites, in  the  land  of  Ishmael.  90  511      2 

Continued  peace  amongst  the  Nephites,  notwithstand- 
ing persecutions  and  increased  wickedness.  89  512      3 

Amlici,  a  disciple  of  Nehor,  desires  to  be  king  and  to 
destroy  the  true  church  ;  his  pretentions  are  rejected 
at  a  special  election,  by  "  the  voice  of  the  people:" 
he  raises  a  rebellion,  and  is  consecrated  king  by  his 
followers. 

Amlici's  forces  are  defeated  by  the  Nephites  under  Al- 
ma at  the  hill  Amnihu. 

The  Lamanites  invade  Zarahemla,  are  joined  by  the 
Amlicites,  and  the  united  armies  are  defeated  by 
Alma,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Sidon. 

Another  invading  Lamanite  army  is  defeated  On  the 
east  bank  of  the  Sidon,  and  driven  back  to  their  own 
lands.    Peace  restored. 

Aaron,  and  other  missionaries,  imprisoned  by  the  La- 
manites in  the  land  Middoni.  87  511      o 

The  Nephites,  because  of  their  late  afflictions,  are 
humble,  and  many  are  baptized. 

t  Ammon  and  Lamoni  proceed  to  Middoni,  to  release 
Aaron  and  his  brethren.  They  meet  Lamoni's  father 
on  the  way :  he  attempts  to  slay  Ammon. 

t  Antiomno,  king  of  Middoni,  releases  the  captive  mis- 
sionaries. 8G  515      6 

3500  Nephites  baptized  into  the  church.  Great  peace 
and  prosperity  amongst  them. 

t  Lamoni's  father,  king  of  all  the  Lamanites,  bc^tized. 


292  BOOK   OF   MORMON    CHRONOLOGY. 

B.C.  N.A.  T.J. 

He  issues  a  proclamation  in  favor  of  the  Nephite 
missionaries.  "  85  516      7 

Pride  increasing  in  the  Nephite  church,  causes  envy- 
ings,  malice,  strife  and  persecutions.  84  517      8 

Alma,  on  account  of  increasing  iniquity,  resigns  the 
Cliief-judgeship,  and  nominates  Nephihah  as  his 
successor,  who  is  accepted  by  the  voice  of  the  peo- 
ple. Alma  devotes  himself  entirely  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry.  He  sets  in  order  the  churches  in  Zara- 
hemla  and  Gideon.  83  518      9 

Alma,  as  presiding  High  Priest,  visits  and  ministers  to 
the  people  in  Melek  and  Ammonihah. 

Amulek  visited  by  an  angel ;  he  recieves  Alma  into  his 
house.  They  preach  to  the  people  of  Ammonihah ; 
are  imprisoned  and  abused. 

Zeezrom,  the  lawyer,  converted,  afterwards  healed  of 
a  fever  and  baptized. 

Those  who  accept  the  Gospel  are  cast  out  of  Ammoni- 
hah, whilst  others,  men,  women  and  children,  are 
martyred  by  fire. 

Alma  and  Amulek  delivered,  by  the  power  of  God, 
Irom  prison.  The  prison  is  destroyed,  and  with  it 
their  persecutors. 

Massacre  of  1005  believing  Lamanites.  82  519    10 

The  Lamanites,  as  loretold  by  Alma,  destroy  Ammon- 
ihah, with  all  its  people,  but  are  afterwards  disas- 
trously deleated  by  Zoram.  81  520    11 

The  church  greatly  increases  during  this  and  two  fol- 
lowing years.  80  521    12 

■j-  Second  massacre  of  the  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi.       79  522    IB 

t  The  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi  arrive  in  the  land  of 
Zarahemla.  78  523    14 

The  people  of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi  established  in  the  land 
of  Jershon. 

The  Lamanites  pursue  the  Ammonites ;  are  defeated 
by  the  Nephites  with  great  slaughter.  77  52 1    15 

Korihor,  the  Anti-Christ,  struck  dumb,  and  afterwards 
killed  in  a  city  of  the  Zoramites. 

Alma,  and  others,  proceed  to  Antionum  and  minister 
amongst  the  Zoramite  dissenters;  the  majority  reject 
their  words,  and  afterwards  cast  out  their  believing 
brethren.  The  latter  flee  to  the  land  of  Jershon, 
whilst  the  unrepentant  ally  themselves  with  the  La- 
manites and  prepare  for  war.  75  5:6    17 

The  Ammonites  remove  to  Melek.  The  Zoramites  be- 
come Lamanites ;  the  united  armies  occupy  Ationum 
and  attempt  to  invade  INIanti.  They  are  defeated  by 
Moroni  and  Lehi  near  the  hill  Riplah.  The  Laman- 
ites make  a  covenant  of  peace  and  return  to  their 
own  lands. 

The  record  of  Alma  closes.  '  4  527    18 

Alma  transfers  the  records  to  his  son  Helaman,  leaves 
Zarahemla,  as  if  to  go  to  Melek,  and  is  never  heard 
of  more. 

Dissensions  arise  in  the  church ;  the  dissenters  ^n- 


BOOK   OF    MOKMON    CHKONOLOGV.  29^ 

B.C.N.A.  Y.J. 

deavor  to  make  Amalickiah  king.  Moroni  rears 
•'  the  title  of  liberty,"  the  people  rally  thereto,  and 
Amalickiah  retreats  into  the  wilderness.  The  greater 
portion  of  his  followers  are  slain ;  he  escapes  to  the 
Lamanites,  rises  in  power,  poisons  General  Lehonti, 
kills  the  king,  marries  the  queen,  and  is  proclaimed 
king.  Moroni  fortilies  the  Nephitc  cities.  The  La- 
maiiMes  invade  Ammonihah  and  Noah ;  are  repulsed 
with  great  loss  and  return  to  their  own  lands.  73  528    1  > 

Moroni  commences  his  line  of  defence  along  the 
southern  line  of  the  Nephite  possessions.  The  La- 
manites driven  out  of  the  East  wilderness.  The 
foundations  laid  of  Moroni,  Lehi,  Nephihah,  and 
other  cities.  72  529    21 

Never  was  a  happier  time  among  the  people  of  Nephi.    71  580    21 

Contention  between  the  people  of  the  cities  of  Murian- 
ton  and  Lehi.  The  former  flee  northward;  their 
flight  arrested  by  Teancum,  who  defeats  and  slays 
their  leader.  The  difficulty  is  settled,  and  both  peo- 
ple return  to  tlieir  own  possessions. 
'  Nephihah,  the  second  Chief  Judge  dies ;  his  son,  Pa- 

horan,  succeeds  him.  68  533    24 

Great  contentions  between  the  "  king  men  "  and  "  free 
men."  The  people  decide  in  favor  of  the  continu- 
.anceof  the  Republic;  upon  which  the  Monarchists 
revolt.  They  refuse  to  take  up  arms  against  the  in- 
vading Lamanites,  but  are  defeated  by  Moroni,  4000 
slain,  the  rest  are  cast  into  prison, 

Amalickiah  captures  the  Nephite  cities  of  Moroni,  Ne- 
phihah, Lehi,  Gid,  Morianton,  Omner,  Mulek,  &c,, 
on  the  Atlantic  coast.    He  is  defeated  by  Teancum. 

Teancum  enters  the  Lamanite  camp  at  night  and  slays 
Amalickiah.    The  Lamanites  retreat  into  Mulek.  67  534    2') 

Ammoron,  brother  of  Amalickiah,  succeeds  him  as 
king  of  the  Lamanites,  and  takes  command  of  their 
armies  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Moroni  pays  a  short  visit  to  the  Nephite  forces  in  the 
southwest. 

Teancum  fortifies  the  Land  Bountiful  and  the  Isthmus 
of  Panama. 

The  Ammonites  desire  to  assist  in  the  war,  but  because 
of  their  oath  are  not  permitted;  but  2000  of  their 
sons,  under  Helaman,  join  the  Nephite  armies  in  the 
southwest,  where  they  find  that  the  Lamanites  have 
captured  the  cities  of  Manti,  Zeezrom,  Cumeni  and 
Antiparah.  66  535    26 

Moroni  gathers  fresh  troops  and  reinforces  Teancum  in 
Bountiful. 

The  Nephite  forces  in  the  southwest  finish  fortifying 
the  city  of  Judea. 

t  Tremendous  battle  in  the  wilderness  north  of  Judea; 
the  Lamanites  defeated,  but  Antipus,  the  Nephite 
commander,  is  slain.  65  536    27 

Mulek  re-captured  by  Moroni,  Lehi  and  Teancum. 


afy4  BOOK  OF  MORMON   CHRONOLOGY. 

B.C.  N.A.  Y.J 

Jacob,  the  Lamanite  General,  killed.  Lehi  placed 
in  command  at  Mulek. 

The  Lamanite  prisoners  compelled  to  dig  a  ditch 
around  and  fortify  the  city  Bountiful. 

The  city  of  Antiparah  vacated  by  the  Lamanites 
and  re-occupied  by  the  Nephites.  04  537    28 

Pachus  revolts  against  the  C(;mmonwealth,  and  en- 
deavors to  establish  a  monarchy. 

Moroni  re-captures  Gid,  and  releases  large  numbers  of 
Nephite  prisoners. 

Six  thousand  men,  from  Zarahemla,  join  the  Nephite 
armies  in  the  Southwest. 

The  Lamanites  surrender  Cumeni.  The  Nephites 
drive  the  Lamanites  eastward  to  the  land  of  Manti. 
They  are  afterwards  driven  out  of  that  region  by 
Helaman. 

Helaman  writes  an  epistle  to  Moroni,  complaining  of 
want  of  reinforcements.  63  [38    29 

Pachus  drives  the  Chief  Judge  out  of  Zarahemla ;  he 
seeks  safety  in  Gideon.  Pachus  opens  a  treasonable 
correspondence  with  the  Lamanites. 

Moroni,  having  received  Helaman's  epistle,  writes 
twice  to  Pahoran ;  on  receiving  the  letters  reply,  he 
gathers  up  troops  and  goes  to  his  aid.  The  united 
forces  of  Moroni  and  Pahoran  defeat  Pachus,  who  is 
slain,  and  the  rebellion  is  put  down.  , 

The  Lamanite  troops,  driven  out  of  the  Southwest, 
capture  the  city  of  Nephihah.  (2  533    30 

Provisions  and  6000  men  sent  to  the  relief  of  Hela- 
man, the  same  to  the  commanders  in  the  East. 

A  battle  fought  on  the  road  between  Zarahemla  and 
Nephihah.  4000  Lamanite  prisoners  make  a  cove- 
nant of  peace,  and  are  sent  to  join  the  Ammonites. 

Nephihah  surprised  and  captured  by  Moroni.  Lehi 
and  several  other  cities  on  the  Atlantic  coast  re- 
captured by  the  Nephite  generals.  Teancum  slays 
Ammoron  in  the  city  of  Moroni,  and  is  himself  slain 
by  Ammoron's  servant.  The  city  is  captured  by  the 
Nephites,  and  the  Lamanites  are  driven  to  their  own 
lands.  61  540    31 

Moroni  fortifies  the  southern  boundaries  of  the  Ne- 
phites, returns  to  Zarahemla,  and  transfers  the  com- 
mand of  the  Nephite  forces  to  his  son  Moronihah. 

Helaman  and  his  fellow-laborers  re-establish  the 
Church :  great  humility  of  its  members.  60  541    32 

The  Nephites  begin  to  recover  from  the  demoralization 
and  disorganization  Incident  to  the  protracted  war.      59  542    33 

Helaman  dies.  fShiblon  takes  charge  of  the  sacred 
plates.  57  544    35 

Moroni  dies,  aged  43.  56  545    36 

5400  Nephites,  with  their  families,  leave  Zarahemla  to 
colonize  the  north  country.  Hagoth  establishes  ship- 
building yards  on  the  Pacific  side  of  the  Isthmus.       55  546    37 

Large  migration  northward.  Two  of  Hagoth's  ships 
never  again  seen  after  leaving  poit.  54  547    38 


BOOK   OF  MORMON    CHRONOLOGY.  295 

U.C.  N.A.Y.J 

Shiblon  dies;  the  sacred  records,  &c.,  transferred  to 
Helaman,  the  younger. 

Some  Nephites  dissent  and  go  over  to  the  Lamanites; 
the  latter  invade  Zarahemla,  but  are  driven  out  by 
Moronihah. 

Pahoran  dies.    The  Book  of  Alma  closes.  £8  548    39 

The  Book  of  Helaman  commences.  Tubaloth  king  of 
the  Lamanites 

Three  of  Pahoran's  sons  contend  for  the  judgment  seat. 
The  people  clioose  Pahoran,  the  younger.  His 
brother,  Paanchi,  rebels,  for  which  he  is  tried,  con- 
demned and  executed.  One  of  his  adherents,  Kish- 
kumen,  assassinates  Pahoran.  Pacumeni  chosen 
Chief  Judge. 

The  Gadianion  robber  bands  organized.  52  549    40 

The  Lamanites,  under  Coriantumr,  invade  Zarahemla, 
capture  the  city,  slay  Pacumeni,  and  advance  north- 
ward. Afterwards  the  Nephite  forces,  under  Moroni- 
hah and  Lehi,  destroy  the  invading  army.  Corian- 
tumr slain.  *  51  550    41 

Helaman  elected  Chief  Judge ;  Kishkumen  attempts 
to  assassinate  him,  but  is  himself  slain.  Gadianton 
and  his  band  retire  into  the  wilderness.  50  551    42 

Much  contention  among  the  Nephites.  Many  emigrate 
North,  as  far  as  the  great  lakes.  46  555    46 

Great  contentions.  Helaman  fills  the  judgment  seat 
with  justice  and  equity.  45  556    47 

The  contentions  measurably  cease;  the  church  is 
greatly  prospered;  tens  of  thousands  baptized. 

The  Gadianton  robbers  secretly  increase  in  the  more 
thickly  settled  portions  of  the  land.  43  558    49 

Pride  increases;  the  more  humble  members  of  the 
church  persecuted.  41  560    51 

Helaman  dies;  his  son  Nephi  succeeds  him  as  Chief 
Judge  .,,,,.  39  562    53 

Contentions  and  bloodshed  among  the  Nephites;  the 
rebellious  affiliate  with  the  Lamanites.  38  563    54 

More  dissenters  go  over  to  the  Lamanites,  who  are  all 
the  year  preparing  for  war.  36  565    56 

The  Lamanites  invade  Zarahemla;  the  Nephites,  ow- 
ing to  their  dissensions  and  wickedness,  are  every- 
where driven  before  them.  35  556    57 

The  Lamanites  overrun  all  the  Nephite  possessions  as 
far  as  the  land  Bountiful.  The  Nephites  fortify  the 
Isthmus.  34  567    58 

The  Lamanites  obtain  possession  of  all  South  America.    33  568    59 

Moronihah  reconquers  the  most  northern  portions  of 
South  America.  32  569    60 

The  Nephites  regain  about  half  their  possessions,  Zara- 
hemla remainnig  in  the  hands  of  the  Lamanites. 

Under  the  preaching  of  Nephi,  and  others,  the  Ne- 
phites commence  to  repent.  81  570    61 

No  more  Nephite  successes,  on  account  of  the  lack  of 
faith  in  the  people.  Nephi  delivers  up  the  judgment 
seat  to  Cezoram. 


296 


BOOK  OF  MORMON   CHRONOLOGY. 


B.C.  N.A.  Y.J 

Nephi  and  Lehi,  having  preached  to  the  Nephites,  go 
over  to  the  Lamanites  in  the  land  of  Zarahemla, 
8000  of  that  people  are  baptized.  They  then  proceed 
to  the  land  of  Nephi,  where  they  are  imprisoned,  but 
delivered  by  marvelous  manifestations  from  heaven. 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  heard  by  tliose  assembled  at 
the  prison,  and  they  are  surrounded  by  fire.  The 
greater  part  of  the  Lamanites  are  converted,  and 
they  surrender  to  the  Nephites  all  the  lands  they  had 
taken  from  them.  30  571    62 

The  Lamanites  exceed  the  Nephites  in  righteousness, 

.  and  many  of  their  missionaries  preach  in  Zarahemla, 
and  the  land  northward  Nephi  and  Lehi,  also,  go 
north.  Universal  peace  prevails  throughout  all  the 
continent,  and  both  Nephites  and  Lamanites  travel, 
unrestrictedly,  in  all  parts.  29  572    63 

An  era  of  great  prosperity.  Much  preaching  and  pro- 
phecy by  the  servants  of  God.  27  574    65 

Chief  Judge,  Cezoram,  slain  by  a  Gadianton  robber; 
his  son  and  successor  suffers  the  same  fate.  26  575    66 

The  Nephites  again  growing  exceedingly  wicked,  the 
greater  part  unite  with  the  Gadianton  robbers;  they 
also  worship  idols  of  gold  and  silver.  25  576    67 

The  Lamanites  grow  in  righteousness,  whilst  the  Ne- 
phites increase  in  iniquity. 

The    Gadianton   bands   are   utterly   destroyed    from     • 
amongst  the  Lamanites,  but  are  so  greatly  encour- 
aged by  the  Nephites  that  they  obtain  sole  manage- 
ment of  the  government.  24  577    68 

Chief  Judge,  Seezoram,  assassinated  by  his  brother, 
Seantum. 

Nephi,  rejected  by  the  people  in  the  north,  returns  to 
Zarahemla;  he*  notifies  the  people  of  the  murder  of 
Seezoram,  is  arrested  as  an  accessory,  but  afterwards 
released.  The  Lord  makes  a  covenant  with  him, 
a\id  directs  him  to  continue  his  ministrations.  23  578    69 

Nephi,  preserved  by  the  miraculous  power  of  God, 
preaches  from  land  to  land.  22  579    70 

Division,  even  to  bloodshed,  prevails  among  the  Ne- 
phites. 21  580    71 

Contentions  and  wars  throughout  all  the  land.  20  581    72 

The  internal  wars,  originating  with  the  Gadianton 
robbers,  still  continue.  To  stay  the  bloodshed,  Ne- 
phi prays  for  a  famine :  his  prayer  is  answered.  19  582    I'S 

The  famine  continues  and  spreads.  18  583    74 

The  whole  land,  both  amongst  the  Nephites  and  La- 
manites, smitten  with  the  famine ;  thousands  die  of 
hunger  and  pestilence.  The  people,  in  their  extrem- 
ity, begin  to  repent;  they  exterminate  the  Gadian- 
to'n  bands.  *  17  584    75 

The  Lord  sends  rain,  and  the  earth  brings  forth  abun- 
dantly. Nephi  is  reverenced  as  a  servant  of  God  by 
all  the  people.  16  585    76 

The  people  .n'^piclly  increase;  the  major  part  of  both 
peoples  belong  to  the  church,  15  586    77 


BOOK  OF  MORMON  CHRONOLOGY.  297 

B.C.N.A.  Y.J. 

Slight  contentions  on  doctrinal  questions.  14  587    78 

The  controversies  increase;  Nepbi  and  Lelii  receive 
many  revelations  and  put  an  end  to  the  disputes.         13  588    79 

Dissenters  search  out  the  ancient  abominations,  re- 
establish the  Gadianton  bands  and  commence  war.    12  589    89 

The  robbers  grow  strong,  defy  the  united  armies  of  the 
Nephites  and  Lamanites,  commit  depredations  and 
carry  off  many  prisoners.  Great  loss  of  life  on  both 
sides.  11  590    81 

Tlie  Nephites  a^ain  begin  to  forget  the  Lord.    The  La-    . 
manites  remain  faithful.  10  591    8*2 

The  people  wax  strong;  in  iniquity.  9  5' '2    83 

The  people  do  not  mend  their  ways.  8  593    84 

The  people  grow  in  wickedness  aiid  ripen  for  destruc- 
tion. 7  591    8) 

Samuel,  the  Lamanite,  prophesies  on  the  walls  of  Zara- 
hemla;  some  attempt  to  kill  him,  others  believe. 
The  latter  seek  Nephi  and  are  baptized.  Samuel  es- 
capes to  his  own  land.  Nephi  performs  many  mi  ra- 
cles.  6  595    86 

The  greater  portion  ot  the  people  remain  in  their 
pride  and  wickedness,  the  lesser  portion  walking 
more  circumspectly  before  God.  5  59fi    87 

The  people  grow  more  hardened.  3  598    89 

The  words  of  the  prophets  commence  to  be  fulfilled, 
signs  and  wonders  appear,  betokening  the  near  ad- 
vent of  the  Savior;  angels  are  seen  by  many:  yet 
the  people  still  harden  their  hearts.  The  Book  of 
Helaman  closes.  2  599    90 

The  Third  Book  of  Nephi  opens.  Nephi  departs  out 
of  the  land,  and  is  never  again  seen.  Lachoneus 
Chief  Judge  and  Governor.  1  cOO    91 

A.  c. 

The  promised  signs  of  the  Redeemer's  birth  appear, 
much  to  the  joy  of  believers. 

The  two  days  and  nights  of  constant  light ;  a  new  star 
appears. 
The  majority  of  the  people  join  the  church. 

The  Nephites  reckon  their  time  from  the  Messiah's  ad- 
vent, 1  eOl    92 

The  Gadianton  robbere  commit  many  murders;  the 
people  not  strong  enough  to  overpower  them.  2  €02 

Dissensions  increase,  owing  to  many  joining  the  rob- 
ber band,  especially  among  the  young.  3  C^3 

Wickedness  and  unbelief  greatly  increase,  4  G04 

Evil  continues  to  gain  strength  to  this  time.  Gadian- 
ton bands  grow  so  numerous  that  both  Nephites  and 
Lamanites  take  up  arms  against  them.  13  G13 

The  robbers  driven  into  their  secret  fastnesses  in  the 
mountains  and  the  wilderness.  .  14  614 

Owing  to  dissensions,  the  robbers  gain  many  advan- 
tages. *  15  G15 

Giddianhi,  the  robber  chief,  writes  an  epistle  to  La- 
choneus, calling  upon  the  Nephites  to  surrender. 


BOOK   OF   MORMON    CHRONOLOGY. 


GidgiddoDi  chosen  commander  of  the  Nephite  forces. 
Lachoneus  decides  to  gather  all  the  Nephites  from 
both  continents  into  the  lands  of  Zarahemla  and 
Bountiful,  and  fortify  against  the  inroads  of  the 
robbers.  16  616 

The  people,  with  all  their  movable  substance  and 
seven  years'  provisions,  gather  at  the  appointed 
place.  17  617 

In  the  latter  part  of  tlie  year  tlie  robbers  sally  out  of 
their  hiding  places  and  occupv  the  lands  deserted  by 
the  people.  *  18  618 

The  robbers,  under  Giddianhi,  attack  the  Nephites. 
The  slaughter  more  terrible  than  in  any  previous 
battle  amongst  the  children  of  Lehi ;  Giddianhi  is 
slain,  the  robbei-s  are  defeated  and  pursued  to  the 
borders  of  the  wilderness.  19  619 

The  robbers  do  not  venture  to  again  attack  tlie  Ne- 
phites. Zemnarihab  made  chief  of  the  robber 
bands.  20  620 

The  robbers  surround  and  ineffectually  besiege  the 
Nephites,  who  make  many  sorties  and  slay  tens  of 
thousands  of  them;  the  robbers  attempt  to  concen- 
trate on  the  northern  continent,  but  are  cut  off,  their 
armies  destroyed,  and  many  thousands  taken  prison- 
ers, among  whom  is  Zemnarihab,  who  is  afterwards 
hanged. 
The  Nephites  greatly  rejoice  in  their  marvelous  deliv- 
erance. 21  621 
All  the  'jNephites  believe  the  words  of  the  prophets ; 
righteousness  prevails.    They  preach  to  the  robber 
prisoners ;  all  who  make  a  covenant  to  murder  no 
more  are  set  at  liberty,  those  who  refuse  are  punished 
according  to  the  law.  22  622 
The  Nephites  all  return  to  their  own  lands  on  both 

continents.  26  626 

The  laws  revised  according  to  justice  and  equity;  great 

order  throughout  the  land.  27  627 

Many  new  cities  built  and  old  ones  repaired ;  numer- 
ous other  improvements  made,  28  628 
Disputings  and  contentions  re-commence,  pride  and 

other  evils  increase.  ■  29  629 

Lachoneus,  the  younger,  Governor.  The  church 
broken  up,  except  among  a  few  Lamanites.  Many 
prophets  testify  and  are  persecuted,  some  are  exe- 
cuted contrary  to  law.  The  officers  committing 
these  crimes,  on  being  called  to  account,  rebel  and 
seek  to  establish  a  monarchy,  with  Jacob  as  king. 
The  Chief  Judge  is  assassinated,  and  the  ancient  in- 
iquitous combinations  re-introduced.  The  Nephite 
commonwealth  is  broken  up,  and  the  people  divided 
into  numerous  tribes.  Jacob  leads  his  followers  into 
the  northernmost  part  of  the  land.  30  630 

The  various  tribes  more  fully  regulated.  Nephi  per- 
forms many  miracles;   among  others,   raises  his 


BOOK  or  mOKMON  CHRONOLOGY.       299 

A.C.  N.A. 
brother  Timothy  from  the  dead.    But  few  are  con- 
verted to  the  Lord.  81  631 

Nephi  continues  his  preaching  and  ministry;  a  few 
accept  his  message.  32  632 

Many  join  the  church.  33  633 

On  the  four(;h  day  of  the  new  year  the  signs  of  Christ's 
crucifixion  commence.  An  unparalleled  storm  rages 
for  three  hours,  convulsing  the  land  and  destroying 
many  cities.  1 1  is  followed  by  three  days  darkness. 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  heard  proclaiming  the  des- 
tructions that  had  happened. 

Jesus  appears  to  the  people  in  the  land  Bountiful.  He 
preaches  his  Gospel,  performs  many  mighty  works, 
and  cltooses  twelve  disciples. 

Nephi,  the  son  of  Nephi,  takes  the  records.  34  634 

All  the  people  are  converted,  and  the  church  becomes 
universal.    The  believers  have  all  things  common.      36  63'i 

The  disciples  of  Jesus  work  many  wonderful  miracles.    37  G37 

'J'he  people  again  becoming  numerous.  Zarahemla 
and  other  cities  rebuilt.  59  659 

A.11  the  original  twelve  disciples,  except  the  three  who 
were  to  tarry,  have  died  by  this  date.  100  700 

The  first  generation  in  Christ  have  passed  away.  Ne- 
phi, the  recorder,  dies,  and  his  son  Amos  takes 
charge  of  the  records.  110  710 

i  mos  dies.  During  his  days  a  few  apostatize  and  take 
the  name  of  Lamanites.  His  son,  Amos,  takes 
charge  of  the  records.  194  794 

All  the  second  generation  have  passed  away,  except  a 
few.  200  800 

Pride  appears  in  the  church ;  its  members  have  their 
goods  no  more  in  common,  and  sects  arise.  201  801 

Many  churches  established  opposed  to  the  true  church 
of  Christ.  210  810 

The  wicked  increase;  the  disciples  and  saints  perse- 
cuted. The  three  Nephites  perform  many  miracles, 
from  the  last  date  to  230  830 

The  people  divided  into  Nephites  and  Lamanites.  231  831 

The  more  wicked  portion  of  the  people  have  grown 
much  the  stronger.  244  841 

The  wicked  build  up  many  expensive  churches  to 
their  false  faiths.  250  850 

The  members  of  the  true  church,  or  Nej^hites,  begin 
to  grow  proud  and  sinful.  The  Gadianton  iniqui- 
ties are  again  developed.  260  860 

Both  Nephites  and  Lamanites  have  grown  exceedingly 
wicked;  none  are  righteous  except  the  three  dis- 
ciples. The  Gadianton  robbers  have  spread  over  all 
the  land.  300  SOO 

Amos  transfers  the  records  to  his  brother  Ammaron, 
and  dies.  306  906 

Mormon  born.  311  911 

Ammaron  hides  up  the  records  in  the  hill  Shim.  321  921 

Mormon,  the  father  of  Mormon,  brings  his  son  to  Zara- 
hemla.   War  commences  between  the  Nephites  and 


300  BOOK   OF  MORMON    CHRUINULUGY. 

A.C.  X.iL 
Lamanites ;  a  number  of  battles  are  fought,  in  which 
the  Nephites  are  victorious.     Commencement  of 
Mormon's  record.  322  92'2 

The  three  Nephites  cease  to  minister  among  the  peo- 
ple, because  of  their  iniquities.  Things  hidden  in 
the  earth  become  slippery.  Mormon  endeavors  to 
preach,  but  his  mouth  is  shut.  War  re-commences, 
and  Mormon  is  chosen  General  of  the  Nephite  ar- 
mies. 326  92G 
The  Nephites,  under  Mormon,  retreat  before  the  La- 
manites to  the  north  countries.  The  Lamanites  cap- 
ture the  city  of  Angola,  327  927 
t  The  Lamanites  dri\e  the  Nephites  out  of  the  land  of 

David  into  the  land  of  Joshua.  328  928 

t  Revolution,  blood  and  carnage  throughout  all  the 
land.  The  Nephite  warriors  gathered  for  battle  into 
one  place.  329  929 

The  Lamanite  king,  Aaron,  defeated  by  Mormon.  330  930 

Great  sorrow  among  the  Nephites,  because  of  their 

pitiable  condition.  331  931 

Mormon  obtains  the  plates,  as  Ammafon  directed.         335  935 
Wars,  with  much  slaughter,  until  344  944 

The  Lamanites  drive  the  Nephites  to  the  land  Jashon, 
thence  northward  to  the  land  of  Shem.    The  Ne- 
phites fortify  the  city  of  Shem.  345  945 
Mormon,  v/ith  30,000  Nephites,  defeats  50,000  Lamnn- 
ites  in  the  land  of  Shem ;  he  pursues  and  again  de- 
•  feats  the  enemy.                                                               346  946 
The  Nephites  regain  the  lands  of  their  inheritance  by 

the  year  349  949 

The  Nephites  as  one  party,  and  the  Lamanites  and 
Gadiantons  as  the  other,  make  a  treaty,  by  which  the 
Nephites  possess  the  country  north  of  the  Istlimus, 
and  the  Lamanites  that  south  of  it.  Ten  years' 
peace  follows.  350  950 

By  the  command  of  the  Lord,  Mormon  preaches  re- 
pentance, but  the  Nephites  harden  their  hearts,  dur- 
ing the  ten  years  ending  360  9G0 
The  Lamanite  king  declares  war;  the  Nephites  gather 

at  the  land  Desolation.  360  960 

The  Lamanites  march  to  Desolation,  are  defeated  and 

return  home.  361  961 

The  Lamanites  make  another  invasion  and  are  de- 
feated. Mormon  refuses  to  lead  the  wicked  Nephites 
any  longer.  362  962 

The  Nephites  invade  South  America,  and  are  driven 
back  to  Desolation.  The  Lamanites  capture  the  city 
of  Desolation.  363  963 

The  Lamanites  besiege  Teancum,  are  repulsed,  and 

the  Nephites  re-capture  Desolation.  364  964 

The  Lamanites  re-commence  war;  they  capture  the 
cities  of  Desolation  and  Teancum,  but  are  after- 
wards driven  entirely  out  of  the  lands  of  the  Ne- 
phites. 367  967 
The  Lamanites  again  commence  war.   An  exceedingly 


TEMPLES   AND   SACRED    PLACES.  30I 


fierce  battle  is  fought  in  the  land  of  Desolation. 
The  Lamanites  capture  Desolation,  Boaz  and  other 
cities.  Mormon  takes  up  all  the  records  from  the 
hill  Shim.  375  975 

Mormon,  having  resumed  command  of  the  Ncphites, 
the  Lamanites  twice  attack  the  city  of  Jordan,  and 
are  repulf^ed.    They  burn  many  Nephite  towns.  379  979 

The  Nephites  disastrously  routed.  380  980 

t  Mormon  writes  to  the  Lamanite  king,  asking  to  be 
allowed  to  gather  all  his  people  to  the  hill  Cumorah, 
and  there  give  battle.    His  request  is  granted.  382  982 

At  the  end  of  this  year  all  the  Nephites  are  gathered 
at  the  hill  Cumorah.  SS4  984 

Mormon  hides  all  the  records  entrusted  to  him  in  the 
hill  Cumorah,  save  the  abridged  records,  M'hich  he 
gives  to  Moroni. 

The  final  battle,  in  which  all  but  twenty-four  Nephites 
are  killed,  and  a  few  who  escape  to  the  South,  Mor- 
mon closes  his  record.  385  985 

Moroni  records  the  death  of  his  father  and  the  extinc- 
tion of  his  people,  also  that  the  Lamanites  were  at 
war  with  each  other  all  over  the  land.  400  1000 

Moroni  closes  up  the  record.  421  1021 


TEMPLES  AND  SACRED  PLACES. 


When  the  Lord  brouglit  Israel  out  of  Egypt,  determined  to 
make  that  people  a  nation  to  himself,  as  soon  as  they  had  arrived 
at  a  safe  distance  from  surrounding  peoples,  he  required  them  to 
build  a  Tabernacle,  which  is  sometimes  called  the  Temple, 
wherein  he  could  institute  certain  ordinances  and  regulations  for 
their  guidance  and  worship. 

This,  at  the  commencement  of  their  pilgrimage  in  the  wilder- 
ness, was  made  portable,  and  of  the  costliest  and  best  material 
within  their  reach,  and  one  of  the  tribes  was  set  apart,  to  have 
charge  of  it  and  its  appurtenances.  Such  has  ever  been  the  pur- 
pose of  the  Lord.  This  served  them  through  their  journey  and 
m  the  promised  Canaan,  until  suitable  wealth  enabled  Solomon 
to  erect  a  magnificent  Temple  on  Mount  Moriah,  since  called 
"  The  Hill  of  Zion,"  to  which  all  Israel  came  annually  to  wor- 
ship or  attend  Conference. 

The  Lord  has  informed  us  Doc.  &  Cov.,  Sec.  124,  v.  89,  that  his 
I)eople  are  always  commanded  to  build  TemDles,  or  holy  houses. 


302  TEMPLES  AND   SACRED   PLACES. 

unto  his  holy  name.  This  accounts  for  our  reading  in  the  Book 
of  Mormon  of  so  many  Temples  having  been  erected  on  thia 
continent.  It  also  explains  why  the  Prophet  Joseph  so  early 
taught  the  commencement  of  a  Temple  in  every  important 
location  of  the  8aints. 

Not  less  than  eight  Temples  have  been  designated,  and  their 
sites  consecrated,  of  which  there  have  been  dedicated  and  ordi- 
nances administered  therein— one  at  Kirtland,  Ohio;  Nauvoo,  Illi- 
nois; St.  George,  and  Logan,  Utah.  Those  at  Salt  Lake  City  and 
Manti  are  progressing  satisfactorily,  the  latter  nearing  completion. 
The  places  appointed  in  Independence  and  Far  West  are  in 
the  hands  of  our  persecutors,  who  have  driven  the  Saints  Irom 
their  homes,  and  from  the  State. 

The  site  for  a  Temple  at  Independence  was  dedicated  Aug.  3, 
1831.  Those  present  were  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Sidney  Rigdon, 
Edward  Partridge,  Wm.  W.  Phelps,  Oliver  Cowdery,  Martin  Harris, 
Joseph  Coe  and  Newel  Knight.  Description  of  Temple  and 
city  plot  in  History  of  Joseph  Smith,  under  date  of  June  23  and 
24, 1883.  This  was  the  first  ground  dedicated  for  a  Temple  in  this 
dispensation. 

The  Temple  at  Kirtland  was  55x65  feet;  the  corner  stones  were 
laid  July  23,  1833.  Reynolds  Gaboon  and  Jared  Carter  were 
building  committee.  This  was  accomplished  by  donation  and  vol- 
untary contribution ;  was  completed  and  dedicated  March  27, 1836. 

The  corner  stone  for  a  Temple  at  Far  West  was  laid  July  4, 1838, 
with  appropriate  ceremony.  Dimensions  of  building  to  be  110 
feet  long  and  80  feet  wide.  Particulars  given  in  the  History  of 
Joseph  Smith  under  this  date.  Work  was  re-commenced  on  this 
foundation  April  26, 1839,  and  abandoned  for  the  time  on  account 
of  exterminating  order  of  Governor  Boggs,  expelling  the  Saints 
from  the  State.  Apostles  Wilford  Woodruff  and  George  A.  Smith 
were  ordained  on  the  corner  stone  of  this  building,  and  took 
leave  of  the  Saints  for  a  foreign  mission,  with  the  other  Apostles 
who  were  present,  at  that  time. 

The  Temple  at  Nauvoo,  Illinois,  was  about  128  feet  long  by  88 
feet  wide.  The  corner  stones  were  laid  in  the  presence  of  the  Nau- 
voo Legion,Iby  the  various  authorities  of  the  Priesthood,  on  the  6th 
day  of  April,  1841.  The  history  of  this  date  gives  details  of  the 
prodeeding^.  The  building  was  erected  by  the  tithing  and  free- 
will offerings  of  the  people,  and  was  so  rapidly  advanced  that  on 
the  8th  of  November  the  same  year  the  Baptismal  Font  was  dedi- 
cated, and  baptisms  for  the  dead  were  administered.  The  cap 
stone  was  laid  May  24, 1845.  The  upper  rooms  were  dedicated 
Sunday,  December  7, 1845,  and  sacrament  was  administered.  En- 
dowments were  commenced  on  the  10th  inst.  The  lower  part  of 
the  building  was  dedicated  with  public  services  on  Saturday  anc* 
Sunday,  the  2d  and  3d  of  May,  1846. 

The  Salt  Lake  City  site  was  consecrated  and  the  ground  broken 
for  the  foundation  Feb.  14,  1853.  The  corner  stones  were  laid 
April  6, 1853.  It  is  1863^  feet  by  99  feet  in  length  and  width,  and 
is  constructed  of  hard  granite  rock,  brought  from  the  mouth  of 
Little  Cottonwood  Canon,  a  distance  of  about  twenty  miles. 
With  ordinary  prosperity,  its  walls  will  be  up  to  the  square  by  the 
Autumn  of  1883.  We  will  not  unde^ake  a  description  of  the  har- 
mony of  its  parte,  the  beauty  or  grandeur  of  its  appearance,  but 
refer  our  readers  to  the  Deseret  News  of  Aug.  17,  1854,  and  the 


TEMPLES    AND   SACRED   PLACES.  303 

Millennial  Star,  Vol.  16,  page  753,  for  a  full  description  given  by 
its  architect,  Truman  O.  Augell. 

The  Temple  at  St.  George,  che  site  of  which  was  dedicated  by 
prayer  by  President  George  A.  Smith,  and  ground  broken  Novem- 
ber 9, 1871,  is  141  feet  8  inches  by  93  feet  4  inches ;  84  feet  from  ground 
to  top  of  parapet.  The  basement  is  of  volcanic  rock,  the  upper 
part  of  red  sandstone,  and  contains  about  1900  cords  of  rock,  and 
1,000.000  feet  of  lumber,  and  cost  about  3=800,000. 

The  first  foundation  rock  was  laid  March  10, 1873.  On  the  first 
of  April  following,  a  deposit  of  records  was  made  by  President 
Brigham  Young.  On  tlie  first  day  of  January,  1877,  the  Font,  lower 
story  and  first  main  floor  were  dedicated  by  President  Wilford 
Woodruff,  and  April  6,  following,  a  general  Conierence  of  all  the 
authorities  of  the  Church  consiiinmated  its  consecration,  at  whicb 
Counselor  Daniel  H.  Wells  offered  the  dedication  prayer. 

The  Manti  Temple  site  was  dedicated  and  the  ground  broken 
by  President  Brigham  Young  April  25, 1877.  The  corner  stones 
were  laid  April  14,  1879.  Its  size  is  172x95  feet,  and  82  feet  to 
square.  Its  Eastern  Tower  is  to  be  17i9  feet  high;  the  Western 
Tower  1G9  feet  high.  This  edifice  stands  on  a  hill,  which  required 
2400  cords  of  rock  terrace  to  provide  for  its  location. 

The  site  of  Logan  Temple  is  situated  on  an  elevation  ot  table 
land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city  bearing  that  name.  It  was 
dedicated  with  prayer  offered  by  Apostle  Orson  Pratt,  May  18, 
1877,  and  the  ground  was  broken  the  same  day.  Instructions 
were  given  by  Presidents  Brigham  Young  and  John  Taylor.  The 
corner  stones' were  laid  September  17, 1877.  The  building,  includ- 
ing towers  and  buttresses,  is  171  feet  long  by  95  in  width,  with  a 
tower  28  feet  square  at  each  end,  the  Eastern  tower  is  i5(>  feet, 
and  the  Western  tower  151  feet  in  height,  and  87  feet  from  the 
surface  to  top  of  battlements.  It  was  dedicated  May  17,  1884, 
President  John  Taylor  offering  the  dedicatory  pniyer. 

The  location  o'f  the  Temple  sites  at  Independence,  Kirtland, 
Far  West  and  Nauvoo  were  determined  and  consecrated  by  or 
under  direction  of  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  who  also  directed 
the  designs  and  construction  of  the  Kirtland  and  Nauvoo  Tem- 
ples. 

The  locations  of  the  Temples  at  Salt  Lake  City,  at  St.  George, 
at  Manti  and  at  Logan  were  determined  and  dedicated  by  Presi- 
dent Brigham  Young,  or  by  his  direction.  He  also  directed  the 
designs  of  the  Salt  Lake  City  and  St.  George  Temples,  and  pre- 
sided at  the  dedication  services  of  the  latter  house. 


Exo.  Chapters  25,  26,  27,  28  give  a  description  of  the  Tabernacle 
constructea  in  the  wilderness,  with  its  appointments.  This  Tab- 
ernacle is  frequently  called  a  Temple  in  the  Old  Testament ;  as  in 
1  Sam.  1.  9. 

1  Kings,  Chapters  6,  7,  and  8.  Temple  of  Solomon  is  described, 
Vith  the  dedication  ceremonies. 

Ezra,  Chav.  6.  The  rebuilding  of  Solomon's  Temple  by  Cyrus  is 
given.    The  decree  is  found  in  verse  3. 

The  final  deimolition  of  this  Temple  was  foretold  by  Christ  in 


304  TEMPLES   AND    SACRED    PLACES. 

Matt.  24.  2.    This  terrible  prophecy  was  fulfilled  by  the  Romans 
under  Titus  about  the  year  seventy  of  our  Lord. 

38ook  of  JHormoit. 

2  NepM  5.  16  and  I,  Nephi,  did  build  a  Temple  after  the  manner 
of  the  Temple  of  Solomon,  etc. 

Jacob  1.  17  wherefore  1,  Jacob,  gave  unto  them  these  words,  as 
I  taught  them  in  the  Temple,  etc. 

2.  2  I  come  up  unto  the  Temple  this  day,  that  I  might  declare 
unto  you  the  word  of  God. 

2.  IL  get  thee  up  into  the  Temple  on  the  morrow,  etc. 

Mos.  I.  18  might  gather  themselves  together  to  go  up  to  the 
Temple,  to  hear  the  words  which  his  father  should  speak  unto 
them. 

2.  6,  7  pitched  their  tents  around  the  Temple,,  with  their  doors 
toward  the  Temple. 

Alma  16.  13  and  Alma  and  Amulek  went  forth  preaching  re- 
pentance to  the  people  in  their  Temples,  and  in  their  sanctuaries, 
and  in  their  synagogues,  which  were  built  after  the  manner  of  the 
Jews. 

23.  2  but  that  they  should  have  free  access  to  their  houses,  and 
also  their  Temples  and  their  sanctuaries. 

26.  29  we  have  taught  them  in  their  houses,  in  their  streets, 
upon  their  hills,  and  we  have  also  entered  into  their  Temples, 
and  their  synagogues,  and  taught  them. 

Hel.  3.  9  have  timber  to  build  houses,  cities,  Temples,  syna- 
gogues, sanctuaries  and  all  manner  of  buildings. 

3.  14  an  hundreth  part  of  their  building  of  ships,  of  Temples, 
synagogues  and  sanctuaries  cannot  be  contained  in  this  work. 

10.  8  if  ye  shall  say  unto  this  Temple,  it  shall  be  rent  in  twain, 
it  shall  be  done. 

3§octrittje  aitb  Coiuenanti?. 

Sec.  84.  3  which  city  (New  Jemsalem)  shall  be  built,  beginning 
at  the  Temple  lot,  which  shall  be  appointed  by  the  finger  of  the 
Lord. 

4  even  the  place  0/  the  Temple,  which  Temple  shall  be  reared 
in  this  generation. 

5  this  generation  shall  not  all  pass  away,  until  an  house  shall 
be  built  unto  the  Lord,  and  a  cloud  shall  rest  upon  it,  etc. 

31  which  House  shall  be  built  unto  the  Lord  in  this  generation, 
■upon  the  consecrated  spot  as  I  have  appointed. 

97.  10  it  is  my  will  that  an  house  should  be  built  unto  me  in 
the  land  of  Zion,  like  unto  the  pattern  which  I  have  given  you, 

124.  29,  80  that  they,  my  Saints,  may  be  baptized  for  those  who 
are  dead ;  for  this  ordinance  belongeth  to  my  House. 

31  but  I  command  you,  all  ye,  my  Saints,  to  build  a  House 
unto  me. 

39  for  the  beginning  of  the  revelations  and  foundation  of  Zion, 
and  for  the  glory,  honor  and  endowment  of  all  her  municipals, 
are  ordained' by  the  ordinance  of  my  Holy  House,  which  my 
people  are  alwaTS  oomman^d  to  baUd  imto  my  ^oly  Name. 


GEMS.  305 

55  and  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  command  you  again  to 
fcuild  a  House  to  my  name,  even  in  this  place. 

1l7.  9  lot  all  the  record*  be  had  in  order,  that  they  may  be  put 
m  the  archives  of  my  Holy  Temple,  to  be  held  in  remembrance 
from  generation  to  generation,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

See  Sermon  by  B,  Young,  y.  of  Z>.,   Vol.  /,  page  277, 

M       ,.      .,       ^^^^ 

.<      9,     '\     2jg. 
'*    O,  Pfatt,         "  **    ^4>     '*      27^- 

,i  I.  .«  a      j(j^        a         2-1. 

*'    G.  A.  Smith,  **  **    77,     '*      /60. 

An  Article  entitled^  The  Order  of  Laying  Temple  Corner 
Stones,  Deseret  Weekly  News,   Vol.  27,  page  214, 

History  of  Joseph  Smitth,  date  of  Aug.  j,  iSji,  and  July 

History  of  Joseph  Smith,  date  of  May  6^  June  6,  and 
July  2jt  i8jj,  and  March  27,  i8j6. 


GEMS  FROM  THE  HISTORY  OF  JOSEPH 
SMITH. 


How  THE  Book  op  Mormon  was  Obtained.— 3/ay  8.  1838. 
Joseph  Smith's  answer  to  the  question,  *'  How  and  where  did  you 
obtain  the  Book  of  Mormon?"  "  Moroni,  who  deposited  the 
plates  (from  whence  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  translated,)  in  a  hill 
m  Manchester,  Ontario  County.  New  York,  being  dead  and  raised 
again  therefrom,  appeared  unto  me,  and  told  me  where  tney  were, 
and  gave  me  directions  how  to  obtain  them.  I  obtained  them, 
and  the  Urim  and  Thummim  with  them,  by  the  means  of  which  I 
translated  the  plates;  and  thus  came  the  Book  of  Mormon." 

Plurality  of  Wives  — October  5, 1843.  "  Gave  instructions  to 
try  those  persons  who  were  preaching,  teaching,  or  practising  the 
doctrine  of  plurality  of  wives;  for,  according  to  the  law.  I  hold 
the  keys  of  this  power  in  the  last  days ;  for  there  is  never  but  one 
on  earth  at  a  time  on  whom  the  power  and  its  keys  are  con- 
ferred; and  I  have  constantly  said  no  man  shall  have  but  one 
wife  at  a  time,  unless  the  Lord  directs  otherwise." 

October  8,  1843.  The  Organ izatiok-  of  the  Spiritual  and 
21  • 


3o6  CHURCH   CHRONOLOGY. 

Heavenly  Worlds,  and  of  f^piritufil  and  heavenly  beings  was 
agreeable  to  the  most  perfect  order  and  hnrmony ;  tt.eir  limits  rnd 
bounds  were  fixed  irrevocably,  and  voluntnrilVsubscr  L?d  to"n 
their  heavenly  estate  by  themselves,  and  were  by  our  first  parents 
subscribed  to  upon  the  earth.  Kence  the  imporLnce  of  emK 
,"?.  ^  \?  subscribing  to  principles  of  eternal  truth  by  all  men 
upon  the  earth  that  expect  eternal  life.  ^ 


CHURCH  CHRONOLOGY. 


This  Compendium  being  designed  for  the  elucidation  of  theo 
logical  rather  than  of  historical  subjects,  we  have  only  given 
the  dates  of  a  few  important  events  in  the  development  of  the 
grent  latter-day  work, 

1803.— Josep*h  Smith,  Jun.,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  December,  in 
Sharon,  Windsor  Co.,  Vermont. 

1820.— Early  in  the  Spring,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  had  his  first 
vision. 

lS2d.— September  21;  Joseph  Smith,  Jun,,  had  his  second  vision, 
in  which  the  existence  of  the  Plates  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  was 
revealed  to  him.  The  following  day  he  opened  the  place  where 
the  Plates  were  deposited,  and  saw  them. 

lh'21  .—September  22.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  obtained  the  Plates  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon,  the  Urim  and  Thummim,  and  Breastplate. 

I^IS.— February;  Martin  Harris  showed  some  of  the  characters 
transcribed  from  the  Plates,  and  the  translation  of  them  to  Pro- 
fessor Anthon  and  Dr.  Mitchell,  of  New  York. 

1829.— jjfai/ 15 ;  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  O.  Cowdery  were  or- 
dained to  the  Aaronic  Priesthood,  by  John  the  Baptist,  and  were 
bantized  bv  each  other 

1830.— ^prii  6.  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
was  organized,  Elders  \\  ore  ordained,  the  Sacrament  was  admin- 
istered, and,  for  the  first  time  in  the  Church,  hands  were  laid  on 
for  the  reception  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

June  1.  The  Church  held  its  first  Conference,  in  Fayette,  Sen- 
eca County,  New  York.  In  October  the  first  missionaries  to  the 
Lamanites  were  appointed. 

l?,i^i— January.  Joseph  Smith.  Jun.,  moved  to  Kirtland,  Ohio 
where  he  arrived  about  the  first  of  February. 

August  2.  The  land  of  Zion  was  consecrated  and  dedicated  by 
prayer  for  the  gathering  of  the  Saints. 


CHURCH   CHRONOLOGY.  307 

August  4.  The  first  Conference  of  the  Church  in  the  land  of 
Zion  was  held. 

1SS2.— April  26.  Joseph  Smith,  Jan.,  was  acknowledged  Presi- 
dent of  the  -High  Priesthood,  at  a  General  Council  of  the  Church. 

il/av  1.  At  a  Council  held  at  Independence,  it  was  decided  to 
publLsli  the  Book  of  iJoctrine  and  Covenants. 

June.  The  first  periodical,  "  The  Evening  and  Morning  Star," 
was  published  by  the  Church  in  Independence. 

IS^S.—Febniaiy  2.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  completed  the  transla- 
tion of  the  New  Testament. 

March  18.  The  Quorum  of  High  Priests  was  first  organized  in 
Kirtland. 

July  2.   Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  finished  the  translation  of  the  Bible. 

July  23.  The  corner  stones  of  the  Lord's  house  in  Kirtland 
were  laid. 

September  11.  It  was  decided  to  publish  a  paper  in  Kirtland, 
entitled  "The  Latter-day  Saints'  Messenger  and  Advocate." 
Bishop  Edward  Partridge  was  acknowledged  head  of  the  Church 
iu  Zion. 

December  18.    Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  was  ordained  Patriarch. 

ISM.— JF^hruary  17.  A  First  Presidency  of  three  and  a  High 
Council  of  twelve  were  first  organized. 

May  3.  At  a  Conference  of  Elders  in  Kirtland.  the  Church  was 
first  named  "  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints." 

May  5.    Zion's  Camp  left  Kirtland  lor  Missouri. 

lSdr\— February  28.  The  organization  of  the  Quorums  of  Sev- 
enties commenced. 

May  3.    The  Twelve  left  Kirtland  on  their  first  mission. 

July.  In  the  early  part  of  this  month  the  rolls  of  Egyptian 
papyrus,  which  contained  the  writings  of  Abraham  and  Joseph  in 
Egypt,  were  obtained. 

August  17.  At  a  general  assembly  at  Kirtland,  the  Book  of 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  was  accepted  as  a  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice 

1836.— Jammn/  21.  The  authorities  of  the  Church  attended  to 
the  ordinances  of  anointing  and  blessing  each  other  in  the  Kirt- 
land Temple. 

March  27.    The  House  of  the  Lord  in  Kirtland  was  dedicated. 

April  3.  In  the  House  of  the  Lord  in  Kirtland,  the  Sjivior, 
Moses,  Elias  and  Elijah  appeared  to  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  Oli- 
ver Cowdery. 

1837.— Jw?2e.  In  this  month  Heber  C.  Kimball,  O.  Hyde  and 
W.  Richards  were  set  apart  for  a  mission  to  England.  This  was 
the  first  foreign  mission  of  the  Church. 

July  1.  The  mission  for  England  sailed  from  New  York  on  the 
ship  Garnck. 

July  20.    The  English  mission  landed  in  Liverpool,  England. 

July  30.  The  first  baptism  in  England,  by  divine  authority 
took  place  in  the  River  Ribble. 

August  4.  The  first  confirmation  of  members  in  the  Chnrch 
took  place  in  England,  in  Walkerfold,  Chaidgley. 

September  27.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  left  Kirtland  to  visit  the 
Saints  in  Missouri  and  establish  gathering  places.  He  arrived  in 
Far  West  about  the  last  of  October,  or  first  of  November. 

Decernber  10.  About  this  time  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  arrived  lu 
Kirtland  from  Missouri. 


30S  CHURCH    CHRONOLOGY. 

Decemher  2">.  The  first  Conference  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  in 
En!?land  was  held  in  the  Cock  Pit,  Pre-tton.  Durinj^  this  month  a 
somewhat  extensive  apostacy  took  place  in  Kirtland. 

1838,— ifarcA  14.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  family  arrived  at  Far 
West. 

J^dy  6.    515  Saints  left  Kirtland  for  Missouri. 

October  27.    Governor  Bo^^gs'  exterminating  order  was  issued. 

October  30.    The  massacre  at  Haun's  Mill  took  place, 

October  31.  Josepli  Smith.  Jun.,  and  others  were  betrayed  by 
G.M.  Hinckle. 

November  1.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  others  condemned  to  be 
shot.    Far  West  plundered. 

\^Z%— February  14.  Brigham  Young  fled  from  Far  West  to  Illi- 
nois. 

April  15.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  his  companions  in  bonds, 
left  Davies  for  Broome  County,  and  on  their  way  made  their  es- 
cape from  the  gviard. 

Api'il  2()     The  Saints  commenced  evacn^^ting  Far  West. 

April  22.    Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  arrived  in  Quincy,  Illinois. 

June  11.  The  first  house  was  put  up  by  the  Saints  in  Com- 
merce, afterward  named  Nauvoo. 

September  18.  Elder  Brigham  Young,  accompanied  by  H.  C. 
ICimbnll,  left  Nauvoo  on  his  first  mission  to  England. 

October  20.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  and  others  left  Nauvoo  for 
Washington,  D.  C,  as  delegates  from  the  Church  to  the  general 
gO'.ernment. 

November  28.    Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  arrived  in  Washington. 

184C—  March  4.  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  anived  in  Nauvoo  from 
Washington. 

!?>{{).— April  15.  Elder  O.  Hyde  left  Commerce,  on  his  mis- 
sion to  Jerusalem. 

May  27.  The  first  number  of  "The  Lntter-day  Saints'  Millen- 
nial Star"  was  published  at  Mnnchester,  England. 

June  6.  The  first  company  of  emigrating  Saints,  from  Europe, 
sailed  from  Liverpool  for  New  York. 

July  20.  The  company  of  Saints  who  left  Liverpool  in  June 
arrived  in  New  York. 

About  the  first  of  this  month,  the  fir  t  English  edition  of  the 
Latter-day  Saints'  Hymn  Book  was  published. 

September  14.    Joseph  Smith,  Sen.,  died  in  Npuvoo. 

December  16.  The  charter  of  the  city  of  Nauvoo  became  a 
law. 

\?A\.—Januatnj.  During  this  month  the  first  English  edition  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon  was  published. 

November  8.  The  Baptismal  Font  in  the  Nauvoo  Temple  was 
dedicated. 

\U2— December  7.  Elder  O. Hyde  returned  from  his  mission  to 
Jerusalem. 

1844.— .Time  27.  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith  were  assassinated  in 
Carthage  iail. 

IHb— September  2i.  The  authorities  of  the  Church  made  a 
treatv  with  the  mob,  to  evacuate  Nauvoo  the  following  spring 

l^Q.—February.  In  the  beginning  of  this  month,  the  exodus 
of  the  Saints  from  Nauvoo  commenced. 

May  16.  The  Pioneer  camp  of  the  Saints  arrived  at  Mount  Pis- 
gah.  Iowa  Territory, 


CHURCH    CHROXO!  OTiY.  309 

June.  A  call  was  made,  by  the  general  government,  for  the 
Morujon  Battalion. 

iSeptanber  10,  11, 12.  Battles  took  place  between  the  citizens  of 
Nauvoo  and  tlie  m  «b. 

i^ptemba'  16.  The  Trustees  of  the  Churcli,  in  Nauvoo.  made  a 
treaty  with  the  mob  for  the  surrender  01  the  ciiy,  and  its  immedi- 
ate evacuation  by  the  remnant  ot  the  Saints. 

1?A1.— April  14.  The  Pioneers  left  Winter  Quarters  for  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 

July  24.    The  Pioneers  entered  Great  Salt  Ln  ke  Valley. 

December  23.  The  Twelve  sent  torih  an  epiStle  to  the  Saints  to 
recommence  the  gathering. 

\^^.—May.  Presidents  B.  Young  and  Heber  C.  Kimball  left 
.Winter  Quarters,  the  second  time,  lor  Ureat  Sfilt  Lake  Valley. 

September  20.  Presidents  B.  Young  and  H.  C.  Kimball  arrived, 
the  second  time,  in  (xreat  Salt  Lake  Valley. 

November  19.    The  Nauvoo  Temple  was  burned. 

XM'd.— October  6.  The  organization  of  the  P.  E.  Fund  Company 
was  commenced. 

I8r>0. — June  14.  The  first  missionaries  to  Scandinavia  landed  in 
Copenhagen,  Denmark. 

June  15.    The  tirst  number  of  the  "Deseret  News"  was  published. 

August  12.  The  tirst  baptisms  in  Denmark,  by  legal  authority, 
in  this  dispensation,  took  place. 

September  9.  The  "Act"  lor  organizing  the  Territory  of  Utah  be- 
came a  law. 

October  13.  The  first  company  of  P.  E  Fund  emigrants  arrived 
in  Salt  Lake  City,  from  the  United  States. 

December  7.  The  first  branch  of  the  Church,  in  France,  was  or- 
ganized at  Paris. 

1851.— Janwary  9.    Salt  Lake  City  was  incorporated. 

January  13  The  first  settlers  of  Iron  County.  U.  T.,  arrived  on 
Centre  Creek,  near  where  the  city  of  Parowan  now  stands. 

1852. — AiiguH  29.  The  revelation  on  the  law  of  Celestial 
Marriage  wv.s  first  made  public. 

September  3.  The  first  company  of  P.  E.  Fund  emigrants  from 
Europe  arrived  in  Utah. 

December  13.  The  Legislative  Assembly  of  Utah  Territory  met, 
lor  the  first  time 

ISb^.—Januai-y  25.  Elders  0.  Spencer  and  J.  Houtz,  mission- 
aries, arrived  in  Berlin,  Prus-ia,  and  were  banished  from  there  on 
the  second  of  February  following. 

Febniary  14.  The  Temple  Block  in  Salt  Lake  City  was  conse- 
crated. 

March  7,    The  first  missionaries  to  Gibraltar  arrived  there. 

November  X.  The  first  number  of  the  "Journal  of  Discourses" 
was  published  in  England. 

ISTA—May  23.    Patriarch  John  Smith  died. 

June  28.  John  Smith,  son  of.  Hyrum  Smith,  was  appointed 
Patriarch  over  the  Church. 

IST^b.—May  5.  The  Endowment  House  in  Salt  Lake  City  was 
dedicated. 

October.  A  branch  of  the  Church  was  organized  in  Dresden. 
Germany. 

During  this  year  grasshoppers  and  drouth  caused  a  gveat  failure 
of  crops  in  Utah. 


3^°  CHURCH    CHRONOLOGY. 

October  29.  The  First  Presidency  of  the  Church,  in  their  Gen 
erai  Epistle,  proposed,  for  the  Saints  who  should  emigrate  by  ilie 
P.  E.  Fund,  to  cross  the  plains  with  handcnrts. 

18")6.— During  this  year  the  pfactice  ot  paying  tithing  was  gen- 
erally introduced  among  the  Saints  in  Europe.  l>uring  tlie  win- 
ter and  spring  there  was  a  great  scarcity  of  food  in  Utah,  and 
many  domestic  animals  perished. 

September  26.  The  first  company  of  Saints,  who  crossed  the 
plains  with  handcarts,  arrived. 

18-')7. — ApHl  23.  A  company  of  about  seventy  missionary 
elders  left  Salt  Lake  City  to  cross  the  plains  with  handcarts. 

July  11.  A.  Gumming,  of  Georgia,  was  appointed  governor  of 
Utah. 

July  2%.  Messrs.  J.  Stoddard  and  A.  O.  Smoot  arrived  from 
Independence  without  the  mails,  the  postmaster  there  having  re- 
ceived orders  not  to  forward  them.  They  brt)ught  the  news  that 
General  Harney,  with  over  2000  men,  was  ordered  to  rt^;h 

Near  the  close  of  the  year,  the  U.  S.  army,  under  General  John- 
son, took  possession  of  Fort  Bridger. 

1&')8.— 1/arc^  21.  The  citizens  of  Utah,  living  north  of  Utah 
County,  agreed  to  abandon  their  homes  and  move  south.  This 
was  deemed  advisable  as  a  defensive  measure. 

In  the  meantime  Col.  Thos.  L.  Kane  had  arrived  in  Salt  Lake 
City,  via  California,  fur  the  purpose  of  bringing  about  a  peaceful 
solution  of  the  difficulties  between  the  U.  S.  and  Utah. 

April  19.  Gov.  Gumming  and  Col.  Kane  visited  the  Utah 
library,  where  they  were  shown  the  records  and  seal  of  the  U.  S. 
court,  which  was  said  to  have  been  destroyed. 

Jutie  7.  Messrs.  Powell  and  McCul lough,  sent  out  as  peace 
commissioners,  by  the  general  government,  arrived  in  Salt  Lake 
City. 

June  2(y.  The  "Army  of  Utah,"  under  Col.  Johnson,  passed 
through  Salt  Lake  City  and  camped  on  the  west  side  of  the  river 
Jordaii. 

Juue  BO.  The  people  who  had  moved  south  began  to  return  to 
their  homes. 

October  28.  Jacob  Hamblin,  with  eleven  men,  left  Southern 
Utah  to  open  intercourse  with  the  Indians  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river  Colorado. 

IS61.— April  23.  Two  hundred  wagons,  with  four  yoke  of  cattle 
each,  carrying  15,000  pounds  of  flour,  started  lor  the  Missouri 
river,  to  bring  the  poor  of  the  Saints  to  Utah. 

Octobe)'  18.  President  B.  Young  sent  the  first  message  over  the 
overland  wire  to  the  U.  S. 

Oetoberl^,  Th^;^  first  telegram  was  sent  to  San  Francisco.  In 
the  autumn  of  this  year  a  large  colony  of  Sahits  was  sent  to 
southern  Utah. 

1^2.— October  24.  Camp  Douglas,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  was 
located  by  Col.  P.  E  Connor.  ,    .  ,     ^,      ,         ,    , 

18a3.— Col.  P.  E.  Connor  defeated  a  band  of  the  Shoshone  Indi- 
ans near  Bear  river.  ,  ,      ^  ,  ,      ^  , 

March  3.  Great  mass  meeting  held  in  the  Tabernacle,  Salt 
Lake  City,  to  protest  against  the  infamous  course  of  U.  S.  officials. 

\^^A— April  10.  Moves  were  made  for  building  a  telegraph  line 
in  Utah. 


CHURCH   CHRONOLOGY.  3II 

186''\— Jammr// 1.  The  first  number  of  the  "Juvenile  Instruc- 
tor" was  issued  in  Salt  Lake  City. 

18(iT.— The  Deseret  Telegraph  Company  was  organized. 

18 '^'—June  19.— Ground  was  broken  in  Weber  Canyon,  on  the 
U.  P.  Railroad. 

October  16.  Co-operative  Mercantile  Institution  was  organized. 
B.  Young,  president. 

March  8.— U.  S.  Land  Office  opened  in  Salt  Lake  City. 

March  15.  A  corapnny  was  partially  organized  for  'building  a 
railroad  between  Ogden  and  Salt  Lake  City. 

May  9.  The  last  rail  was  laid  connecting  the  U,  P.  and  C.  P. 
railroads,  thus  completing  the  first  railroad  across  tlie  continent. 

May  17.  The  first  ground  was  broken  for  the  Utah  Central 
Railroad. 

June  25,  The  first  company  of  Latter-day  Saint  emigrants 
reached  Ogden,  per  U.  P.  R.  R. 

December  24.  In  the  evening  street  lamps  were  first  used  in 
Salt  Lake  Citv. 

mo— January  10.  The  last  rail  of  the  Utah  Central  Railroad 
was  laid. 

January  13.  General  mass  meeting  of  the  ladies  of  Salt  Lake 
City,  to  protest  against  the  passage  of  the  Cullom  bill. 

February  12.  "An  act  conferring  the  elective  franchise  upon 
women,"  became  a  law  of  Utah  Territory. 

April  27,  An  abandoned  child  was  left  at  the  door  of  Mrs. 
The  first  circumstance  of  the  kind  known  in 
Salt  Lake  City. 

August  12.'  A  discussion  commenced,  in  Salt  Lake  City,  be- 
tween Professor  O.  Prrtt  and  Dr.  J  P.  Newman,  chaplain  of  the 
U.  S.  Senate.    Que  tion,  "Does  the  Bible  sanction  polygamy?" 

SeiAeniber  15.  Gov.  J.  W.lShafer  issued  a  proclamation,  forbid- 
ding the  assembly  of  the  militia  of  Utah  Territory  for  any  purpo!<e 
except  by  his  orders. 

1871.— ifay  1.  Ground  was  first  broken  for  the  Utah  Southern 
Railroad. 

June  ?.0.  Acting-Governor  of  Utah,  George  A.  Black,  Issued  a 
proclamation  forbidding  any  of  the  militia  of  the  Territory  to  a.s- 
semble  for  the  purpose  of  celebrating  the  ninety-fifth  anniversary 
of  American  Independence. 

October  10.  President  B.  Young  was  arrested  by  U  S.  Mar  hal 
on  an  indictment  founded  on  a  charge  of  "lascivious  co!  abita- 
tion." 

\^12—June\.  The  first  number  of  the  "Woman's  Exponent' 
was  issued  in  Salt  Lake  City. 

September  3  Ground  was  dedicated  and  broken  for  the  Salt 
Lake  City  water  works. 

October  14  President  G.  A.  Smith  and  others  lefl  Salt  Lake  City 
on  their  Palestine  tour. 

\^1^— February  24.  President  Smith  and  party  arrived  in  Jeru- 
salem. 

June  18.    President  Smith  arrived  In  Salt  La!is  City. 


3^2  EMIGRATION— B03K   OF   MORMON. 

LATTER-DAY    SAINTS'  EMIGRATION. 

tho^Jl!r^i^«?n'^^*i^^',^^  the  church  show  ihat,  commencing  with 
the  year  1810  ond  endnig  with  the  year  188:-,  there  have  been  emi- 
grated  froin  the  Europe^  n  countries  to  the  United  .'•t  tes  bv  the 

cfl^l'Sir."''?,''''^'''^'''^'^^"/'^^''  '^^'  1^  «<^U'S'  who  have  crossed  the 
sea  in  213  sail  vessels  and  steamships. 

These  have  «ome  in  companies  of  varied  numb'-rs  from  a 
dozen  or  two  at  a  time  to  as  many  as  eiSht^drea^'oTS^r^ 
Sedihi>!   ^^^^"^  ""''  ^^^^^^^^  sevSal  Umes  on'dSJme 

number^ori^i'nni"?^'^'^^  ^.^'""^  *  tabulated  statement  of  the 
number  of  persons  from  each  country  of  their  nativitv      The 

fff  whFu?P^''??^'i^^^/  ^n^^^  ^^^"^  ^'^^^  Britain  and  sTandin^ 
yi^  while   bwitzreland,  Germany.  Italy,  Icelanid,  Finland  EaS 

ip  the  number         ^""^  '''^^'  countries  have  contributed  to  make  " 

thpf^  ^?7i  w';'''''^^^^®  ^^''^'i^^  ^°  this  work  of  gathering  Israel  is 
Latte?dnv  ^ifn?  n!f If  ^l  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^""''f  ^«  «^^'  »«  ^^^  with  a 
is  f  K  ^1  f^^5  ^\^l  ^^^  ®^^^^  gone  down.  Some  have  been 
driven  back  to  Port  before  they  could  get  out  of  the  Irish  chaniief 
one  was  dismasted  before  reaching  New  Orleans,  but  all  h-!?e 
deStion.  ^'^''^''^  ^""^^  ^""^  ^'^'^^^  ^^  ^^^  P^^^  ^f  thei? 

'^^f  ^^^l^^l^^^^^^^' J^^^^T^^inef^s  and  consequent  health,  peace 
and  safety,  have  rendered  the  Saints'  emigration  notorious  and 
Fvh3^H^'  among  Europenn  shippers  and  ship  capta?ns  many  of 
whom  have  been  heard  to  say  that  a  com  pa  nv  of  Mormon  emi- 
grants on  their  ship  hey  considered  better  insurance  than  Se 
underwriters  at  Lloyd's  could  give. 

THE    BOOK   OF   MORMON. 

The  Book  of  Mormon  is  the  name  ot  a  record  which  was 
engraved  upon  plates  otgold,  about  41)0  years  after  the  crucifixion 
of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  by  a  celebrated  prophet 
named  Mormon  These  plates  were  deposited  by  his  son,  Moroni, 
in  a  stone  box  in  a  hill  in  the  westein  part  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  called  by  the  Nephites,  Cumorah.  The  language  in  which 
this  record  was  made  was  said  by  Mormon  to  be  Reformed 
Egyptinn.  On  the  22d  of  September,  1823,  Moroni  discovered  the 
stone  box  which  contained  these  plates,  the  Urim  and  Thummim, 
a  sword  and  breastplate,  to  the  young  Prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  Jr., 
and  he,  by  the  aid  o  ihe  Urim  aud  Thummim,  translated  the 
record  from  the  plates  into  the  English  language  This  is  the 
most  ancient,  the  most  accurate  and  reliable  history  of  i^merica, 
its  ancient  inhabitants  and  its  antiquities,  that  is  now  extant;  and 
has  since  been  translated  from  the  English  into  the  French,  Ger- 
ni'-^n  Italian,  Danish,  Swedish,  Welsh,  Kanaka,  Hindostpnee, 
ijutch  and  Spanisli.  It  has  also  been  printed  and  published  in 
all  those  languages  except  Spanish,  Hindostanee  and  Dutch,  and 
will  soon  be  published  in  the  Spanish  also. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subjea  to  immediate  recall. 


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